Jersey Mike's Trophy Group Stage Roundup

Jon Brady’s side round off their Jersey Mike’s Trophy group stage fixtures with a home clash against Manchester City’s U21s, with one point required to secure their spot in the knockout stages. 

The Valiants began their campaign on the road against Chesterfield in late September. Onel Hernandez gave us the lead with his first goal of the season six minutes before the half-time break, before Louie Marsh’s second-half strike saw the points shared. 

Chesterfield would go on to secure the fixture’s bonus point with a 4-3 penalty shootout win.

TEAM NEWS:

Chesterfield: Boot, Naylor (82' Cook), Mandeville, Bryden (65' Grigg), Pond (46' Whitney), Dunkley, Eccleston, Dyer, Lamptey, Randall (65' Marsh), Pearce (84' Duffy)

Port Vale: Marosi, Headley, Moon, C Hall, Gabriel (66’ John), Byers (66’ Craig (84’ McGowan)), Hernandez (66’ Bussell), Humphreys, G Hall, Watters (46’ Asamoah), Walters

Our second group stage test would come in the form of Sky Bet League One side, Mansfield Town at Vale Park in early October. 

A bright start from the Vale saw us take an early lead through Jordan Gabriel, who turned in George Hall’s cross from close range. 

The points were secured when Maleace Asamoah’s strike from just outside the area found the bottom left-hand corner, just seconds after being introduced as 57^th-minute substitute. 

One of the key talking points coming from the game was the impressive home debut of Vale Academy graduate, Charlie Bussell. An industrious performance earned the 18-year-old plenty of plaudits amongst the Vale faithful.

TEAM NEWS:

Port Vale: Marosi, Headley, Moon, C Hall, Gabriel (77’ John), Garrity (81’ McGowan), Dempsey, Hernandez (57’ Lynch), Humphreys, G Hall (45’ Bussell), Watters (57’ Asamoah)

Mansfield Town: Lewis, Knoyle (63’ Abbott), McLaughlin (45’ Sweeney), Bolton, Maris, Oates (63’ Roberts), Blake-Tracey, Oshilaja (45’ Russell), Hendry, Reed (54’ Anderson), Dodgson

As it stands: