Jayden Stockley’s first-half added time strike was enough to earn the Valiants all three points at Sixfields.
Jon Brady made three changes to his side following Saturday’s dramatic draw against Reading. Goalscorer Martin Sherif made his first Vale start, Ben Heneghan and Jayden Stockley also returned to the starting XI
After scoring his first Vale goal on Saturday, Martin Sherif had a great opportunity to open the scoring in his full debut. After Joel Gauci’s goal-kick was flicked on by Jayden Stockley, Sherif was in-behind but as he looked to shoot, his effort was blocked by a recovering Northampton defender who had got back quickly.
In the 25th minute, the hosts had their first effort of the game. After working the ball well on the edge of the area, the ball eventually fell to Cameron McGeehan, who dragged his effort well wide of the goal.
Fifteen minutes later, McGeehan was involved again as we almost grabbed an assist for the opener. A cross from the left was flicked on by the Northampton midfielder and then met by Sam Hoskins at the back post, but his header was glanced well wide.
Three minutes before the break, Tom Eaves squandered a huge chance to put the hosts ahead. Tyrese Fornah did well to work space for a cross from the left that was on a plate for Eaves, who headed an effort back across goal when it looked like he had a great angle to head towards goal.
The game was tightly contested and as it looked like we were heading into the break goalless, The Valiants took the lead thanks to a moment of quality from Jayden Stockley. Eli Campbell’s throw-in from the left wasn’t cleared by the Northampton backline and it eventually fell to Stockley inside the box. The Vale forward was facing away from goal but managed to get a shot away that squirmed past Ross Fitzsimons and nestled into the bottom corner to put the Valiants ahead.
Five minutes after the break, Stockley had a great opportunity to double his, and his side's lead. George Hall’s free-kick from the left found Stockley, who was completely unmarked at the back post, but his header was straight at Fitzsimons, who made a comfortable save.
The hosts were enjoying the majority of possession, but they didn’t really threaten the Vale backline, who stood firm and dealt with everything that came their way.
On the hour mark, Jon Brady introduced Andre Gray and he almost made an immediate impact. Vale’s deadline day signing received the ball with his back to goal in the area before turning sharply and driving a low cross across the face of goal that was bundled wide at the back post by Stockley, who I am not sure knew more about it.
In the 72nd minute, the hosts fashioned a chance of their own when two second-half subs combined. Jake Evans broke down the right side before getting to the byline and crossing towards Kamarai Swyer, who fired wide at the near post.
The Vale backline continued to dominate and as Northampton threw players forward, Vale had an opportunity to catch them on the break four minutes from time. Ben Waine won the ball in midfield before racing up the pitch. He had Gray up in support, who he found. but the Vale forward dragged his effort wide from the left side of the area.
TEAM NEWS
Northampton Town: Ross Fitzsimons, Jack Burroughs (Kamarai Swyer 45’), Dean Campbell, Sam Hoskins © (Michael Jacobs 85’), Cameron McGeehan, Tom Eaves (Jake Evans 71’), Nesta Guiness-Walker (Jack Perkins 64’), Tyrese Fornah, Terry Taylor (Elliot List 64), Elliot Moore, Max Dyche.
Subs not used: Lee Burge, Conor McCarthy.
Port Vale: Joe Gauci, Ben Heneghan (Jordan Gabriel 20’), Connor Hall, Jayden Stockley (Ben Waine 76’), Ethon Archer (Rhys Walters 59’), Funso Ojo (Liam Gordon 90+4’), Martin Sherif (Andre Gray 59’), Kyle John ©, Cameron Humphreys, Eli Campbell, George Hall (Jordan Shipley 59’)
Subs not used: Ben Amos.