Port Vale striker Danny Elliot netted a brace this afternoon for the reserve team in a 4-3 defeat away to Doncaster Reserves
Manager Mick Ede selected a mixed squad of Academy players and First Team players including, Sam Hornby, Connell Rawlinson, Theo Vassell, Toby Edser, Dan Turner, Danny Elliott and Mark Harris.
The Valiants were lucky not to be behind early on thanks to goalkeeper Sam Hornby, who pulled off three good saves to keep him on his toes. They proved pivotal, as the Vale went on to take the lead on the 13th minute.
Rawlinson's long ping forward to Danny Elliott was well controlled and the striker finished comfortably past the 'keeper to make it 1-0.
Confusion however over a throw in led to a bizarre equaliser for Doncaster. As the ball went out for a throw in, the home side picked up another ball to use in play. Whilst the Vale players stood believing that play had been stopped, Guiseppe Iaciofano slotted the ball into an empty net to bring things level, leaving Mick Ede far from happy with the referee.
Hoping to regroup at half time and start the second half the way they started the first, Doncaster did their absolute best to ruin Vale's intentions and took the lead three minutes after the restart. Anthony Greaves played the ball across to Iaciofano who gobbled up the opportunity and slotted home for his second goal of the afternoon.
The slow start and Doncaster taking the lead was the shock to the system the Valiants needed and responded in perfect fashion just two minutes later. Nottingham Forest loanee, Toby Edser, floated a free kick deep into the Doncaster box and trialist Jordan Clark scored with a looping header.
Vale were now smelling blood and things got even better for Mick Ede and his side when Elliott added his second of the afternoon with a great finish. The Vale worked the ball well up the field where the striker received the ball 15 yards from goal and thumped the ball home to give Vale the lead once again.
Despite a seemingly revitalised performance, the hosts made a spirited comeback which will have left Mick Ede very disappointed. With ten minutes left on the clock Doncaster equalised through Reece Boocock and they weren't finished there. Heading into injury time Boocock turned goalscorer to assister, setting up Watters to snatch a late winner for the home side.
Starting XI: Sam Hornby, Theo Vassell, Connell Rawlinson, Finley Jackson, Josh Ede, Mike Calveley, Toby Edser, Jordan Clark, Dan Turner, Danny Elliott, Mark Harris
Subs: Blight, Berks, Green-Birch, Johnson, Wakefield.