Vale were comfortably beaten by leaders Lincoln at Vale Park in the final game of a dreadful season. Here’s our match report.
Team News
Port Vale manager Jon Brady made one change from the side which shocked Stockport County with Onel Hernandez coming in for Ben Waine. It means the likes of Tyler Magloire and Grant were again named in the starting eleven.
An experienced bench with the likes of George Byers and Ben Heneghan present also contained young striker Eddie Lake.
George Byers – on bench
First-half
The Valiants were trailing at the break after visitors Lincoln City surged into an early lead.
Lincoln started confidently with some incisive passing. It took nine minutes for the first chance which they took to take the lead. Ben House was allowed too much room in the box and he strode forward to finish low past Gauci. To be honest, it was the least City deserved.
Vale were well off the pace in the opening quarter of an hour but came back into the game thanks to Onel Hernandez. The winger played in George Hall on 20 minutes but he mis-kicked and shortly afterwards Rhys Walters drove over. Walters was also impressing and a lovely move involving the youngster, Garrity and Hernandez saw Gabriel shoot over on 27 minutes. There was also a late chance for Gordon after more good work from Hernandez.
However, Lincoln are an impressive, well drilled side and they generally coped comfortably with the Vale pressure as they took a lead into the interval.
Half-time: Port Vale 0-1 Lincoln City
Onel Hernandez – creative spark
Second-half
Leaders Lincoln City cruised to victory over Port Vale after they doubled their lead early into the second-half.
It was a near identical start to the second-half as Lincoln cruised into a two goal lead. A long ball found Moylan who hit the post and Street picked up the loose ball to fire home. There was another chance on 54 minutes but Gauci was equal to Moylan’s deflected shot.
The game drifted from that point with Vale’s first chance of the half coming on 75 minutes when Garrity had an effort blocked. There was a bright spark and perhaps a glimpse of the future as youngster Eddie Lake made his first-team debut with seven minutes left. Vale managed some poor misses late on – firstly Sherif was set up by a good ball by Byers but he skied it over from close range. Then Garrity broke but skewed his chance well wide. There was an even better chance for Lincoln with Ring blazing wide when unmarked in the box.
However, Vale’s season was summed up late on. Gabriel’s fierce drive hit Lake and struck the post. Sherif scrambled it home but was flagged offside.
The Valiants ended the season with a loss and will now need to regroup for League Two football.
Full-time: Port Vale 0-2 Lincoln City
Jordan Gabriel – hit woodwork
Analysis and Opinion
The match
Firstly, a word on Lincoln City. There was much to admire about the visitors who showed exactly why they will be two divisions above Vale next season. This had the feel of an end-of-season game. The visitors were calm and under little pressure, Vale off the pace at times. It was familiar failings for the Valiants – no threat upfront and error-prone at the back.
The players
It was a generally so-so performance by the majority of Vale players. Ben Garrity did well but the stand-pouts were youngster Rhys Walters and veteran Onel Hernandez. However, once again a brittle Vale defence shipped goals. With the exception of Hernandez, no-one could spark the Vale fans into life. It was good to see youngster Eddie Lake get some minutes.
Star player
Vale have lacked quality service all season. Onel Hernandez could be the one to deliver it next season.
Summing up in a sentence
Lincoln give Vale a lesson in how to succeed in League One.
Match stats
Team: Gauci – Gabriel, Humphreys, Magloire, Gordon (C.Hall) – Walters (Croasdale) , Ward (Byers), Garrity – Hernandez (Archer), Sherif, G.Hall (Lake)
Subs: Amos, Heneghan
Yellows: none
Reds: none
Goals: none
Attendance: 8,980 (3,100 visitors)
Season stats
Your thoughts…
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Surely the wording that Sherif will still be at the club next season in any capacity is incorrect I’m aware he’s on loan but could not continue for another season. I await the retained list for the rest.
Yet another poor performance by Vale for the last game of the season, gave the fans nothing to cheer about for most of the match. No spark from most of the team the exceptions being Walters and Hernandez. Jon Brady has a hard job to create a competitive team for next season from the squad he inherited from DM and the January signings. The goalkeeper, defence, midfield and forwards are all problem areas yet another rebuild is required this one needs to be good.