David Worrall’s screamer and a first competitive goal for James Wilson secures our first three points at home against undefeated Harrogate Town
We welcomed the only remaining unbeaten team in Sky Bet League Two Harrogate Town to Vale Park. Our top scorer Jamie Proctor came close to getting the first goal of the game on ten minutes following a Dan Jones long throw. The ball bobbled around in the box and fell to Proctor but his effort from close range went over the bar.
On the back of a brilliant win over Swindon Town last weekend the Valiants were full of confidence and that showed with Worrall’s opener on 28 minutes. He ran onto a bouncing ball right of centre 25-yards out and smashed the ball with the outside of his foot on the half volley into the top left corner.
We made the perfect start to try and get our first home win of the season but the visitors responded strongly with their first attempt of the game. Luke Armstrong climbed highest to win a header from a corner but his effort went way over the bar after 29 minutes played. A minute later and Worrall almost had a second but his shot from close range was saved well by Mark Oxley.
A lengthy stoppage time period included Nathan Smith going close from a corner before Jack Diamond was sent off for a second bookable offence. He received his first after fouling Worrall on 12 minutes and then clashed with Lucas Covolan in the fourth minute of first half stoppage time.
Two minutes after the restart and we doubled our lead thanks to Wilson. A deserved first competitive goal in a Port Vale shirt for the striker. He turned his man on the edge of the area and curled the ball with his left foot into the far bottom corner.
Harrogate’s first chance of the second half came from a corner on 64 minutes, Connor Hall received the ball 6-yards out, right in front of goal but his attempt was blazed over the bar. The Valiants tried to get a third but to no avail as Mal Benning had a shot from outside the area on 79 minutes but he scuffed his shot wide.
A big chance for Proctor in second half stoppage time but his effort was well saved by Oxley in the Harrogate goal. No real threat from ten men Harrogate in the later stages as we claimed all three points.
Port Vale: Covolan, Gibbons (57’ Benning), Jones, Smith, Worrall (90’+1 Martin), Garrity (71’ Taylor), Wilson (68’ Lloyd), Conlon, Proctor, Pett, Cass
Subs not used: Stone, Amoo, Politic
Harrogate Town: Oxley, Page (36’ Fallowfield), Falkingham, Burrell, Thomson, Pattison (10’ Power – Concussion sub) (46’ Kerry)), Muldoon, Hall, Diamond, Mcardle, Armstrong (69’ Martin)
Subs not used: Cracknell, Orsi