Port Vale faced Wolverhampton Wanderers U23’s in their penultimate pre-season fixture at Vale Park ahead of the 2018-19 Sky Bet League Two season.
The first action that the game saw was a sublime diving save from Sam Hornby as he directed Michael Zyro’s curling effort onto his post and away from danger. Zyro cut in from the right and whipped a vicious effort goalward which Hornby was equal to.
Minutes later, Conlon, who made his second appearance in a Vale shirt in four days, spotted Ruddy off his line and attempted an audacious chip from the half-way line, but saw his effort float just over the bar.
The scoring was opened in the ninth minute as Vale were put ahead by an own goal for the second time this pre-season. The unfortunate owner of the goal this time was Ethan Ebanks-Landell who headed over his goalkeeper following a Montano freekick.
The Premier League U23’s side began to grow into the game, with former Valiant Donovan Wilson integral in Wolves’ attacking play.
First, Wilson slid in his strike partner Paul Glandon who eventually was judged to be offside - But before the whistle, Glandon called Hornby into action who palmed the number 9’s effort away.
Swiftly after, Wilson was on the end of a through ball himself and was brought down by Leon Legge on the edge of the box. Zyro stepped up and curled the free kick into the top corner to level the scores just before the half-hour mark.
However, despite the away side increasing in confidence Vale did not budge and their efforts were rewarded just before half-time, albeit, thanks to another defensive error.
Jack Ruddy dwelled on the ball too long and Dodds closed him down and rolled the ball into an empty net via a slide tackle.
Vale’s lead did not last long though. Paul Glandon tapped home from four yards following a Hornby save to take the teams into the break on level terms.
HALF-TIME: Port Vale 2 - 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
The second half began slowly due to the abundance of substitutions made, but a chance was finally carved out between the two sides, and it fell to the visitors.
Jordan Graham delivered a cross from the left which was met by Phil Ofosu-Ayeh, but his header dipped over the bar.
Vale began to dominate possession after this and played some impressive football in the process.
A number of times Worrall was set free down the right following some intricate football which was being dictated by Conlon in the middle, however, Worrall’s deliveries were just alluding the Vale front line.
With 20 minutes to go, Wolves made what must be a world record in how many substitutions have been made at any one time, subsequently, interrupting the flow of the game which was never resurrected.
However, there was time for one final chance for Vale as Daniels swung in a deep free kick from the right. The cross was met by Legge at the back post who headed back towards Vassell whose header drifted just wide of Sondergaard’s goal.
Vale now head into their final home pre-season fixture against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday 28th July 2018.
FULL-TIME: Port Vale 2 - 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
TEAMS
Port Vale: Hornby, Gibbons (63), Legge, Vassell, Montano, Worrall (76), Joyce, Conlon (66), Hannant (72), Dodds(C)(66), Quigley
SUBS: Brown, Kay, Smith, Rawlinson (63), Pugh, Kanu (66), Tonge (66), Daniels (72) A. Trialist (76)
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Ruddy (46), Samba (50), Ofosu-Ayeh (71), Ronan(C)(71), Iorfa (71), Ebanks-Landell (71), Zyro (71), Stevenson (46), Glandon (71), Wilson (71), Graham (71)
SUBS: Hayden (71), Sondergaard (46), Bayliss (50), Goodliffe (71), Whyte (46), Perry (71), Sealy-Harris (71), Otasowie (71), Hanne (71), Samuels (71), Heredia (71)
ATTENDANCE: 713 with 34 visiting fans.