Manager pleased to get back to winning ways as Will Forrester’s goal seals victory against Exeter City.
- Darrell Clarke | “The result was the main thing”
- Port Vale manager speaks to the press following 1-0 victory against Exeter City in League One
- Clarke: “We told the lads to keep going, keep being confident in what we are trying to do. We were looking for that one bit of quality in the final third, a bit of good play and we got that with the goal.”
Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke says Saturday’s 1-0 win against Exeter City at Vale Park was important for his side, who got back to winning ways in League One thanks to Will Forrester’s goal on the hour mark.
Speaking post-match on iFollow the Vale, Clarke said:
“The result was the main thing; we needed to get back to winning ways and we did that.
“I thought we were the better team when it was 11 v 11 as well. It was a little bit nervy at the end when they tried to throw everything forwards but the lads held on well and it is a good three points.”
The Vale were denied by Exeter City goalkeeper Gary Woods on multiple occasions before Forrester found the breakthrough, which came after Woods had denied Aaron Donnelly’s header in the first half and Matty Taylor’s second half free kick.
On his message to his players at half-time and how pleased he was with his side scoring just after the visitors were reduced to ten men following Rekeem Harper’s dismissal, Clarke continued:
“We told the lads to keep going, keep being confident in what we are trying to do. We were looking for that one bit of quality in the final third, a bit of good play and we got that with the goal.
“It was [important to score straight after the red card] because sometimes games can get frustrating on our surface, they’re a man down and we have to get that goal and we got it after 20 seconds.
“We saw it through comfortably; I don’t think they had a shot on target for Stoney to save all game, so I am pleased with the result.”
Asked about the performances of goalscorer Forrester and striker Taylor on his full debut, he said:
“I thought Will’s performance was very good; he stepped in well and there were a few good performances out there, so that was pleasing.
“Petty [Tom Pett] did well, Sammy Robinson too, Matty Taylor up top you could see the quality he brings with his calmness, composure and know-how at the right time. I thought him and Gav [Massey] worked really hard as a front two, Ben Garrity too. There were a lot of good performances out there. It was by no means the prettiest but we did what we need to do.
“It is always good to get a clean sheet, we have been conceding too many goals just recently so to get back to the basics of the game keeping a clean sheet gives us a platform to win a game.”