10-man Port Vale fell to a 4-1 defeat in the FA Youth Cup First Round fixture against Basford United after a first half dismissal turned the game in the away side’s favour.
An early scare in the opening minute for goalkeeper Gregors was dealt with well by Mikey Lennon, who cleared the ball out of danger
Eden Bailey enjoyed the game’s next chance and Vale’s first of the match, latching onto Chibaya’s long through ball but was denied well by the legs of Mussom in a one-on-one situation.
Following a spell of Vale pressure Basford United started to grow into the game after the 6th minute, testing the U-18’s defence on a smart set-piece as well as Hines forcing a brilliant stop out of Gregors who palmed the ball to safety.
After a well contested opening 15 minutes, Ellis Jones provided the opener with a well placed finish into the left-centre of the goal, showing good determination and positioning to slot away the opportunity.
Basford were presented with an immediate opportunity to level proceedings just two minutes later, as they were awarded a penalty. Hines kept his cool from the spot, calmly firing to Gregors’ right to level the scoreline at 1-1.
Port Vale looked to immediately force their way back into the game, with Bailey reaching a lofted ball into the box but he just couldn’t quite generate the power required and Basford managed to clear their lines for a corner which was dealt with.
Will Tams’ name was the first name to be taken into the referee’s book, after rather harshly being adjudged to have fouled Hines who had pulled the strings for the visiting side.
Hines was again looking for another penalty from the referee after breaking into the box and faced down by Chibaya and Tams, however his claims were dismissed this time around after going to ground easily.
The game was turned on its head after Tams, already on a booking brought down Hines who was through on goal and given a straight sending off.
Basford capitalised on the following free-kick with Hines hitting a low driven effort into the bottom right corner just before the half time whistle, the away team going into the break with a single goal advantage.
Vale opted for a double switch at the interval in the hopes of turning the game in our favour, with Barrett and Okenla entering the fray replacing Ilori and Robins.
With the extra man, Basford were looking to exert their numerical advantage with some early pressure, leaving spaces in behind which the 10 men of Vale seeked to exploit.
An early corner followed by some slick passing seemed to see the Vale lads grow in confidence, controlling possession and patiently waiting for an opportunity to pounce.
Another Vale change was made in the 57th minute, with Louis Lake replacing the injured Chambers. The action settled in the second half without any clear goalscoring opportunities after 20 minutes of the second period until back-to-back corners for the Vale U-18’s which were eventually dealt with by the United backline.
Some solid tracking back and challenging from Mikey Lennon denied a Basford break, before the substitute Rourke added a third for the visiting side in the 78th minute.
With Vale chasing the game, Sharman added a fourth for the visitors to send Basford United through to the FA Youth Cup Second Round.
Port Vale starting XI: Gregors, Bradbury, Lennon, Ilori, Tams, Chibaya, McFarlane, Chambers, Bailey, Robins, Jones
Subs: Collinge, Barrett, Lake, Dyer, Osman, Okenla, Ashworth
Basford United starting XI: Mussom, Rhyle, Haywood, Sharman, Frogson, Hayden, Harrison, Newell, Nyemba, Hines, Peters
Subs: Abdallah, Rourke, Taylor, Bartley, Camm, Bonner, Nicholson