A stunning strike from David Worrall early in the second half, sealed by Kurtis Guthrie’s first Port Vale goal a minute from time clinched a fifth straight win for the Valiants.
Vale continue to rise up the table after a solid defensive display against Harrogate Town. Scott Brown had a busy first half but had little to do in the second as the game ran away from the home side.
The early stages of the game were cagey before the hosts took hold of the game. Josh McPake had the first effort on goal in the game with a shot from outside the box on seven minutes but Vale did well to block the shot and take the sting out of the ball as it rolled into Brown’s hands. Ten
minutes later the tall frame of Mark Beck got onto the end of a cross but his effort was easily claimed by Brown.
Rebecca Welch became the first female referee to take charge in an EFL game and she had a quiet start to the game with not too many hard tackles going in. McPake was at it again for the hosts after 23 minutes, this time his shot got through the Vale defence which forced a good save from Brown who got down to his left before holding onto the rebound.
After clinching their fourth successive win against Exeter on Good Friday, Vale were looking to rise up the table and make it five wins in a row for the first time since 2010. The Valiants’ first real chance came on 36 minutes as Devante Rodney beat the offside trap but could not beat James Belshaw in goal who stayed on his feet to make himself big and blocked Rodney’s shot.
A minute later Harrogate were awarded a free kick in their hunt for a go-ahead goal which Dan Jones took which struck the feet of Nathan Smith in the wall and was well cleared. Four minutes later the home side continued to push for an opening goal, Jack Muldoon could not get enough power his header to put it past Brown from inside the area as he gathered with no real struggle.
Not much attacking play in the first half from the Valiants but they quickly changed that in the second. In the 48th minute when Theo Robinson switched the play to David Worrall who fired a shot first time on the half volley into the net to give Vale an early second half lead. Jake Taylor came on to replace Emmanuel Oyeleke midway through the second half and tried to make a huge impact in the game on 67 minutes but his shot from outside the area went over the bar.
Guthrie replaced Rodney with half an hour to play, his first action was to blast an effort at goal which was saved well by Belshaw on 79 minutes. Ten minutes later Guthrie was more successful as his low driven shot found the bottom corner to make it 2-0 and seal the three points.
Harrogate Town: Belshaw, Jones, Falkingham, Smith, Burrell, Thomson (67’ Martin), Beck, Kerry, Muldoon (80’ Kiernan), Hall, McPake
Subs not used: Fallowfield, Francis, Minter, Williams
Port Vale: Brown, Joyce, Legge, Smith, Worrall, Oyeleke (63’ Taylor), Conlon, Montano (91’ Olagunju), Robinson (82’ Cullen), Brisley, Rodney (63’ Guhtrie)
Subs not used: Amoo, Hurst, Scott