Three first-half goals from the visitors condemn the Valiants to defeat against table-topping Stockport County.
Darren Moore made four changes from last weekend's defeat at Wigan Athletic. Ruari Paton, Cameron Humphreys and Ryan Croasdale returned to the side and Marvin Johnson made his full league debut after coming on off the bench against Wigan.
The Valiants started the brighter of the two sides and had a golden opportunity in the 5th minute. Marvin Johnson won the ball back in the attacking third and sent a cross in, which was met by Ryan Croasdale, who was ten yards out, but he couldn’t keep his header down and it was well over the bar.
Vale were made to rue this chance as the visitors took the lead in the 13th minute. Tyler Onyango’s ball in from the right was perfect for Nathan Lowe, who headed home from close range. Two minutes later, Lowe came close to adding a second, but his low effort was saved well by Gauci who got down quickly to hold a low strike.
The Hatters’ lead was doubled in the 23rd minute when Kyle Wooton picked up the ball on the edge of the area and arrowed a low effort into the bottom corner, leaving Joe Gauci with no chance.
The points were sealed on the half-hour mark when Jack Diamond added a third. Jesse Debrah was dispossessed on the edge of the box by Diamond and he ran through and slotted calmly past Gauci to stun Vale Park and cap off what was an excellent first thirty minutes for the League One Table-toppers.
Vale looked stunned and had a mountain to climb to get anything from the game. Devante Cole did well to wriggle free and get on the end of a long ball. He drove into the box and got a shot off, but it was well blocked by a Stockport defender who got back quickly.
In first half added time, Ruari Paton crashed 35 35-yard free-kick off the crossbar. His effort had power and dip, but it didn’t quite come down in time as it hit the top of the bar before going behind for a goal-kick. Moments later, Ryan Croadsale had another good opportunity to score. He met Marvin Johnson’s low ball at the near post before glancing an effort wide.
In the second half, the visitors continued to dominate, and they came close after just 20 seconds. Nathan Lowe took aim from the edge of the box and his low effort was well saved by Gauci who pushed the effort onto the post.
Five minutes after the break, Vale had three efforts blocked in quick succession as Paton, Cole & Byers all tried their luck, but they couldn’t break a resolute Stockport back-line.
On the hour mark, Ollie Norwood’s corner was flicked on by Ethan Pye and it was just out of reach of the two Stockport players at the back-post who were at full stretch.
To be fair to Vale, they showed fight and desire and had the better of the ball in the second half without really threatening the County backline who remained solid and earned their clean sheet.
In the dying moments of the game, Vale had Gauci to thank for keeping the score down as he made an excellent save from Benony Anderrson, who caught Vale on the break but couldn’t beat the Vale stopper.
Port Vale: Joe Gauci, Connor Hall, George Byers (Jayden Stockley 51’), Ben Garrity ©, Ruari Paton, Ryan Croasdale (George Hall 82’), Jesse Debrah, Kyle John (Ronan Curtis 68’), Cameron Humphreys, Marvin Johnson, Devante Cole.
Subs not used: Ben Amos, Jaheim Headley, Rhys Walters, Mo Faal.
Stockport County: Ben Hinchcliffe, Joseph Olowu, Jack Diamond (Callum Camps 59’), Nathan Lowe (Benony Andersson 59’), Ethan Pye, Callum Connolly, Kyle Wooton, Ben Osborn, Tyler Onyango, Ollie Norwood ©, Odin Bailey (Owen Moxon 78’).
Subs not used: Corey Addai, Corey O’Keefe, Owen Dodgson, Jayden Fevrier.
