Two spectacular Ethon Archer free-kicks help Vale to a 3-1 victory against Peterborough United at the Weston Homes Stadium.
Jon Brady made eight changes from Tuesday night's draw against Barnsley, with only Joe Gauci, Connor Hall and Eli Campbell remaining in the starting eleven. Onel Hernandez came in for his first league start and academy graduate Charlie Bussell was named amongst the substitutes.
Despite the multiple changes, the Valiants took the lead inside the first three minutes. Connor Hall played the ball to Onel Hernandez who got down the right side before cutting back to Ryan Croasdale, who slotted a first-time effort into the bottom corner, leaving Alex Bass with no chance at his near post.
Vale’s tails were up after taking an early lead. Onel Hernandez came close to doubling The Valiants’ lead in the 14th minute when he did well to win the ball in the attacking third before cutting inside and striking a low effort that was well saved by Bass, who got down quickly.
Moments later, Vale worked the ball well down the left side towards Ethon Archer, who cut inside and looked to shoot, but he was fouled just as he went to strike towards goal. The Vale winger dusted himself down and struck a free-kick from 25 yards over the wall and into the top corner to double his side's lead in emphatic fashion.
On the half-hour mark, the hosts pulled a goal back when Matthew Garbutt’s corner from the right was met by James Dornelly, who found the far corner with a deft flick to halve the deficit.
The hosts started the second half on the front foot as they looked to level the game. Archie Collins had his side's first effort of the half as his low strike from the edge of the area was comfortable for Joe Gauci.
Despite the hosts' pressure, Vale came close as Jordan Shipley’s through ball found Jaheim Headley, who broke the offside trap and raced into the box, but hjs effort was sliced into the side netting.
Just before the hour mark, Martin Sherif won a free-kick in a dangerous position just outside the area. Once again, Ethon Archer stepped up and whipped another spectacular strike into the top corner to score his second free-kick of the game and double Vale’s lead for the second time in the game.
The hosts were dominating the ball but not really threatening as the Vale backline continued to stand firm. A rare second half came from a corner that wasn’t cleared by Vale and Pemi Aderoju headed over from close range.
The Valiants had a golden chance to add a fourth when Ryan Croasdale broke forward with the ball and slid in Sherif, who got into the box, but the recovering defender put enough pressure on the Vale forward and sliced his effort well wide.
Peterborough United: Alex Bass, Archie Collins, Brandon Khela (Patryk Sykut 83’), Tom Lees ©, Kyrell Lisbie, Harley Mills, Harry Leonard, Matthew Garbutt (David Camara 63’), Peter Kioso (Pemi Aderoju 63’), James Dornelly, Bolu Shofowoke (Cian Hayes 54’)
Subs not used: Bastian Smith, Declan Firth, David Okagbue.
Port Vale: Joe Gauci, Jaheim Headley (Cameron Humphreys 71’), Connor Hall, Ethon Archer, Ryan Croasdale ©, Martin Sherif (Dajaune Brown 81’), Jordan Shipley, Eli Campbell, Grant Ward (Ben Waine 81’), Tyler Magloire, Onel Hernandez (Liam Gordon 50’)
Subs not used: Ben Amos, Jack Shorrock, Charlie Bussell
