Port Vale Reserves hosted Morecambe this afternoon at Vale Park and came out victorious with a 1-0 win.
Those playing would've be keen to step it up a gear for this Central League fixture, with new manager John Askey and his assistant Dave Kevan watching on, and the pair would've been impressed with the start the Vale made.
New loanee signings Callum Whelan and Toby Edser showed positive signs from kick off with some sharp interplay with winger Cristian Montano. The clever interplay between the three nearly created the first chance of the game, but Montano's shot from close range was well blocked by the Morecambe defender.
The Vale's defence was not troubled at all in the first half and Sam Hornby was pretty much a spectator for the majority of it. Hornby was called upon on the odd occasion as Vale passed the ball around at the back.
After a half with very little action for the Vale goalkeeper, Hornby was forced into a fine save early in the second half. Morecambe's Steven Rigby turned well in the six yard box and looked certain to score, but Hornby was quick off his feet and got down well to smother the ball up.
Vale managed to make the breakthrough 10 minutes into the second half thanks to Dan Turner, who had only been on the field for three minutes. New loanee signing Callum Whelan played a fine ball through to the youngster, and he made no mistake of it and fired the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Despite the lively opening stages of the second half, following the goal there was very little action to report on. Joe Berks and Harry Benns were introduced as Vale looked to double their lead. Benns, free roaming the left wing, found himself with a decent opportunity 10 minutes from time. His powerful effort from 20 yards out troubled the Morecambe keeper, as the bobbling effort forced him down low to parry wide.
Vale host Doncaster Rovers next week at Vale Park.
Port Vale Reserves XI: Sam Hornby, Joe Davis, Leon Legge, Kyle Howkins, Danny Pugh, Callum Whelan, Toby Edser, Tom Conlon, David Worrall (75' Joe Berks), Cristian Montano (60' Harry Benns), Danny Elliott (52' Dan Turner)
Unused Subs: Mawghan Blight, Max Beeston.