An excellent Forest side claim victory in Burslem with Alex Mighten starring for the visitors
Vale saw plenty of the ball in the first half but could not make any of their possession count as Nottingham Forest controlled the game and were clinical in front of goal scoring twice in the first period.
A week on from their emphatic win against Newcastle Town last week, Vale hosted their first EFL opponent of preseason. Forest showed their strength early on and took the lead on 13 minutes with Mighten who ran into the box from the left-hand side and fired a shot across goal into the net via the post.
Eight new signings started for Vale but it was Devante Rodney who created the first chance for the Valiants with a good effort from range after 22 minutes. It was well saved by Jordan Smith as he tipped it over the bar for a corner which was whipped in onto the head of Nathan Smith but he could not keep the header down as it flew high over the bar. A minute later Forest made it two with Jack Colback getting to the loose ball first following a save from Lucas Covolan and smashed the ball into the net.
Four minutes later and Vale looked to answer back quickly, Rodney showing his strength and managing to get a shot away but his effort was blocked immediately and rolled away into the arms of Smith. On 34 minutes the home side came close again, this time James Wilson was in on goal after a great first touch before a powerful strike on goal which Smith did well to palm away for another corner. Vale had their final opportunity of the first half just before the break, a freekick from around 35 yards was struck low and hard by Tom Conlon but was claimed comfortably by Smith in goal.
Vale had the first chance of the second half, three minutes after the restart Brad Walker tried his luck after good work from Rodney but the holding midfielder blazed his shot over the bar. 51 minutes played and Mighten was in front of goal again after pouncing on a loose ball. Half time substitute Aiden Stone came out well to block his effort before the ball was eventually cleared away.
Conlon with another freekick on 62 minutes from a much closer distance but substitute Brice Samba got across well and parried the effort away from goal. Two long range efforts for Vale from Walker and Jamie Proctor in the closing minutes but neither hit the target as the game whimpered to a close with the Valiants unable to get onto the scoresheet.
Port Vale: Covolan (45’ Stone), Jones (71’ Johnson), Martin, Smith, Garrity (79’ Bailey), Walker, Pett (79’ Trialist), Conlon (71’ Trialist), Benning, Rodney (79’ Dyer), Wilson (45’ Proctor)
Nottingham Forest: Smith (45’ Samba), Gabriel (75’ Back), Fernandes (75’ Sanders), Mbe Soh, Richardson (75’ Donnely), Yates (60’ Lolley), Colback (60’ Konate), Cafu (60’ Barnes), Carvalho (60’ Hammond), Mighten, da Costa (60’ Fornah)