Ben Waine’s 89th-minute winner earns the Valiants a place in the Quarter-Finals of the Vertu Trophy after a 1-0 victory against Bolton Wanderers at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Jon Brady made ten changes to his side following Friday night's Emirates FA Cup victory. Amongst these changes were returns to the side for Jordan Gabriel, Funso Ojo and Ruari Paton, who have all recovered from their injuries. Liam Gordon, also returning from injury, was named amongst the substitutes.
The hosts started the game as the brighter of the two sides and dominated possession in the opening stages of the game. They also had the game's first chance in the ninth minute as Thierry Gale received the ball down the left side before cutting inside and curling an effort wide of the far post from just outside the penalty area.
In the 16th minute, Vale had their first chance of the game. Jaheim Headley and Ruari Paton worked it well down the left side before Headley crossed towards Ryan Croasdale, who flicked it onto Dajaune Brown at the back post, but his first-time effort was blazed over the crossbar.
The Valiants grew into the game and had their first shot on target seven minutes before the break. The ball was worked nicely across the box before Dajaune Brown laid off Jordan Gabriel, who saw his venomous effort tipped over the bar by Sharman-Lowe in the Bolton goal.
Vale were piling on the pressure and came close again three minutes later. Dajaune Brown sent in a whipped cross that was met by Mo Faal, but his header was straight at the keeper, who was able to make a comfortable save.
From this opportunity, the hosts looked to catch Vale on the counter-attack. A cross from the left eventually came, and it fell to Aaron Morley, who hit his first-time effort into the ground before it bounced up, and Ben Amos was forced to tip it onto his crossbar and behind for a corner.
In added time, the hosts came close again as Gale got the ball down the left side before once again cutting inside and curling an effort wide of the far post.
Ten minutes after the break, the hosts had an excellent chance to take the lead. Josh Dacres-Cogley latched onto a ball in-behind the Vale defence, but Ben Amos came flying off his line and made a crucial save with his legs to keep the scores level.
After a chanceless second half, it looked like we were destined for a penalty shootout until the 89th minute when the Valiants took the lead! George Hall showed great perseverance to win the ball off Richard Taylor in the final third and cut inside onto his left foot before sending in a low cross that was finished at the back post by Ben Waine from close range to seal a place in the Quarter Finals of the Vertu Trophy and make it three wins from three across all competitions in 2026!
BOLTON WANDERERS: Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Josh Dacres-Cogley (Amario Cozier-Duberry 75’), Chris Forino, Xaxier Simons (Ethan Erhahon 80’), Richard Taylor, Josh Sheehan (Kyle Dempsey 63’), Sam Dalby (Mason Burstow 63’), Thierry Gale, Aaron Morley, Marcus Forss (John McAtee 63’), Cyrus Christie
Subs not used: Nathan Broome, Eoin Toal.
PORT VALE: Ben Amos, Jahiem Headley (Liam Gordon 45’), Jordan Gabriel (Mitch Clark 45’), Dajaune Brown, Rhys Walters, Funso Ojo, Ruari Paton (George Hall 80’), Ryan Croasdale ©, Kyle John, Cameron Humphreys (Ben Heneghan (45’), Mo Faal (Ben Waine 60’).
Subs not used: Marko Marosi, Jayden Stockley.
