Port Vale hosted Shrewsbury Town in their final home pre season game before the season kicks off next week but it wasn’t the outcome they would have hoped for in a game full of goals.
The Vale nearly got off to the perfect start. Miller, in his first appearance for the club since joining, stepped up to a free kick 20 yards out and his low drive forced Shrewsbury keeper Joel Coleman to make a good save and moments later, finessed a shot just over the bar.
It wasn’t going all Vale’s way however, with Shrewsbury showing signs of intent going forward. Scott Brown pulled off a great save to deny Josh Laurent
Vale’s early pressure paid off after half an hour, as Connell Rawlinson headed in his first goal for the club from a corner. Luke Hannant whipped in a delightful ball into a dangerous area, and the man mountain was there to head the ball past the Shrewsbury keeper.
After making such a bright start, Neil Aspin will have been disappointed to see what followed. Shaun Whalley slotted past Scott Brown to equalise, shortly after Vale took the lead and just two minutes later, Aaron Holloway added a second for Shrewsbury. His low driven shot flew into the bottom corner leaving Brown with no chance.
David Worrall and Scott Quigley were introduced for the second half for Manny Oyeleke and Ricky Miller, but just four minutes in, Shrewsbury added a third. A long ball over the top from Omar Beckles found Holloway, who tucked it away comfortably to get his second of the game.
Vale looked to respond quickly. Scott Quigley spotted Montano’s bursting run forward, but the Colombian’s driven shot just flew wide of the post. Vale finally got what they were looking for just after the hour mark, as Tom Pope pulled one back for the Valiants. Louis Dodds’ excellent work rate was awarded, as he won the ball back on the by- line before cutting it back for Popey to tap in.
As Vale pushed for an equaliser, Shrewsbury took an advantage and added a fourth with 12 minutes left on the clock. Lenell John-Lewis was played through over the top from the left hand side, held of the defender and smashed the ball into the back of the net.
The match ended 4-2 to the visitors. A disappointing end to a bright pre season campaign for the Valiants, but there were plenty of positives to take heading into Cambridge next weekend.
Team Line-ups:
Port Vale: Brown, Montano (Vassell 77), Rawlinson, Legge (Gibbons 64), Smith, Oyeleke (Worrall 45), Hannant, Joyce, Dodds, Miller (Quigley 45), Pope.
Unused Substitutes: Hornby, Kay, Pugh, Kanu, Tonge.
Shrewsbury Town: Coleman, Sadler, Beckles, Whalley, Payne, Nolan, Bolton, Loft, Amadi-Holloway, Nsiala, Laurent.
Substitutes: Arnold, Colkett, Okenabirihie, Gillead, Haynes, Morris, John-Lewis, Hendrie, Kennedy, Gnahoua.