Vale put SEVEN past Harborough Town
Pre season friendly – 20th JulyHarborough Town 1 Port Vale 7
A tremendous Jordan Hugill hat trick helped the Vale development squad to their fourth pre season victory at Harborough Town.
It was the Vale who dominated the early exchanges with Dominic Dell twice going close before they took a 35th minute lead. A long ball from the impressive Cheye Alexander found Hugill in space and as the home ‘keeper advanced the former Marske striker sent a sublime lob over his head and into the net.
Two minutes into the second half it was 2-0. Elliot Osborne, the only non professional in the starting line up, made ground down the right and when his cross was blocked, Alexander controlled the ball on the edge of the box before sending a shot into the far corner.
In the 53rd minute Osborne moved over to the left wing and cut inside before hitting a cracking shot into the top corner to make it 3-0. Two minutes later Dell made it 4-0 with a 16-yard effort following a goalmouth scramble.
It was all Vale now and Hugill robbed a defender on the edge of the box and made ground before sliding the ball into the net for the visitors fifth goal in the 71st minute. Three minutes later the home net bulged again. A ball into the box was knocked down and Tom Morris swivelled to hit a half volley past Harborough’s overworked substitute ‘keeper.
Hugill completed a deserved hat trick in the 84th minute. Osborne again did well to out pace the defence on the right and his low cross was swept home by a delighted Hugill.
Ryan Boot made a great save as he was belatedly called into action but two minutes from time Harborough pulled a goal back. A scramble from a free kick in the Vale box appeared to hit Dougie Price before crossing the line.
Vale team – Boot, Alexander, Jefford, O’Neill, Price, Morris, Osborne, Tambini, Hugill, Dell (Wright 59), Carvalho
Subs not used – Smith, Lander, M.Davies, Beesley
Match Report Phil Sherwin