Kyle John’s second-minute header earns Vale all three points against Leyton Orient in East London.
Following a full week on the training ground, Jon Brady made five changes to his side following last weekend’s defeat against Exeter City. This included a first start for Ben Garrity, who had been out injured since November. Ben Waine and Dajaune Brown also returned to the Starting XI.
The Valiants shot out of the blocks and took the lead inside two minutes. Ethon Archer’s corner from the right was flicked on at the near post by Ben Garrity and then met by Kyle John, who powered a header into the top corner from 12 yards to score the first professional goal of his career.
Vale’s tails were up, and they came close again moments later. Following some good work down the left side, the ball was played inside to Ben Garrity, who found Ben Waine in space down the right. Waine drove into the box before striking an effort towards goal, but it was blocked and went behind for a corner.
On the 15-minute mark, Vale had another opportunity to double the lead. Ben Waine’s cross from the right was deep and met by Connor Hall, who saw his effort saved by Killian Cahill in the O’s goal.
Two minutes after the break, Vale were almost made to rue these missed chances as the hosts had their first shot on target of the game. Theo Archibald's cross from the right was met on the half-volley by Ollie O'Neill, but his low effort was comfortably saved by Joe Gauci down to his left.
Moments later, Vale had another good opportunity to double the lead as Ben Garrity's header went over the backline and Ben Waine ran onto it. He beat the keeper to the ball and poked it goalwards, but it was cleared off the line by a backtracking defender.
The hosts came close again on the hour mark as Archibald's deep cross was headed back across goal by Koroma at the back post. It fell nicely to O’Neill, but his effort was comfortable for Gauci.
Orient were piling on the pressure and came inches away from picking up a point in the 83rd minute. Sean Clare’s low cross from the right was met by Dom Ballard, but his first-time effort crashed off the post before going behind for a goal kick.
The referee indicated nine minutes of additional time where Orient threw everything at the Vale backline, but the Valiants remained resolute and dealt with anything that came their way, and eventually came away with all three points following a gutsy and resolute performance from front to back.
TEAM NEWS
Leyton Orient: Killian Cahill, Tom James, Dan Happe, Ollie O’Neill (Charlie Wellens 66’), Michael Craig (Jack Moorehouse 66’), Tyreeq Bakinson, Kaelan Casey, Josh Koroma (Demetri Mitchel 77’), Sean Clare, Dom Ballard, Theo Archibald © (Ajay Matthews 85’)
Subs not used: Noah Phillips, Jack Simpson, Azeem Abdulai
Port Vale: Joe Gauci, Connor Hall, Ben Garrity ©, Dajaune Brown (Jayden Stockley 57’, Ethon Archer (Jaheim Headley 61’), Funso Ojo (George Hall 57’), Liam Gordon (Ben Heneghan 89’), Ryan Croasdale, Ben Waine (Jordan Gabriel 57’), Kyle John, Cameron Humphreys
Subs not used: Ben Amos, Rhys Walters
