Port Vale’s final League Two game of the season ended in a 5-0 defeat to the hands of Cambridge United at Abbey Stadium.
The poor performance will hope to be left behind this season, in hope of gaining momentum over the summer period as Vale finished 20th.
The game started well for Vale and had their first initial opportunity on the 8th minute. James Gibbons’ cross managed to curl towards Cambridge’s back post, the effort smashed off the bar.
After a quiet period for both sides, the next chance came in the 27th minute as David Amoo tried his luck on goal. Harrison Dunk delivered a low cross towards the penalty as Amoo swung with his left, only to be cleared away Gibbons.
But, Amoo soon made amends by planting one straight past Sam Hornby on the volley after Dunk found the perfect pass to allow him on goal on the 33rd minute.
It got from bad to worse for Vale as some poor defending allowed United to double their lead. After several failed clearances, the ball fell to Harrison Dunk in a tight angle on the left-hand side as he slotted home into the top corner.
The remaining minutes of the first-half came to a subtle end, wither neither much happening for the two sides.
Youngster Mike Calveley then came on for Callum Howe in an attempt to change the scoreline in Cambridge.
Luke Hannant continued to look lively in the second half, seeing two chances go narrowly wide of Dimitar Mitov’s goal. His second attempt saw his header skim the far post, but it wasn’t enough to grab a goal back.
Calveley then played a good one-two with Ben Whitfield before delivering a fine cross towards the backpost. Tom Pope tried to get his head on the attempt, but could only manage to get the slightest of touches as Mitov held.
Vale continued to struggle, as a wonder goal from Brad Halliday allowed United to go three up. His darting run from right-back saw an attacking threat with the hosts as his outside of the foot shot hit the top corner.
Barry Corr then made it four, slotting in from close range after The Valiants failed to clear their lines from a free-kick. But, some positivity for supporters as Harry Benns makes his first-team debut, becoming the first ever Port Vale player to be born after the new millennium.
Billy Waters then made it five for United after cutting inside from the right-hand side and burying home past Hornby.
Pope saw a good opportunity to get one back for Neil Aspin’s men, after cutting inside and firing wide on the edge of the area.
Dan Turner then came on for Dior Angus, in hope of grabbing a consolation.
Overall, a disappointing afternoon for Vale as they fall down to Cambridge 5-0 at Abbey Stadium in the end-of-season finale.
Cambridge United Starting XI: Mitov, Halliday, Carroll, Deegan © (Legge), Taylor, Waters, Dunk, Taft, Maris, Amoo (Knowles), Brown (Corr 56).
Unused Subs: Iron, Azeez, Lewis, Davies.
Port Vale Starting XI: Hornby, Gibbons, Smith, Howe (Calveley), Davis, Tonge, Pugh, Hannant, Whitfield (Whitfield), Angus (Turner), Pope ©.
Unused Subs: Boot, Barnett.
Attendance: 4808 (527 Vale Supporters).