Jon Brady’s first game in charge of the Vale ends in a 1-0 victory as the Valiants overcome Fleetwood Town to book a place in the Fourth Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Brady made three changes from Vale’s 5-1 victory against Blackpool on New Year's Day. Joe Gauci returned to the Starting XI along with Ben Waine and George Hall, who also returned to the side.
The visitors had the first effort of the game in the 20th minute as the ball fell nicely to Harrison Neal on the edge of the area, but his effort was comfortably saved by Joe Gauci in the Vale goal.
On the half-hour mark, Vale had an excellent chance to take the lead. George Hall broke down the right side before getting to the byline and cutting back to Devante Cole, who saw his close-range effort excellently saved by David Harrington in the Fleetwood goal, who was at full stretch to tip it onto the bar.
After controlling the majority of the first half, the opening goal came two minutes into added time. Devante Cole raced onto a through ball and found himself in-behind before cutting the ball back to Jordan Shipley, who lashed home a first-time strike into the bottom corner to score the first goal of the Jon Brady era and give his side the lead.
After the break, the visitors looked to level the game. Ethan Ennis, who had been a threat all night, cut inside from the left and beat three Vale players before crashing an effort into the side netting from the left side of the box.
On the hour mark, Jon Brady bought on Mo Faal, and he got struck in straight away as he broke down the left before cutting inside and forcing a comfortable save from Harrington with a tame effort.
The visitors came close again fifteen minutes from time as Shaun Rooney got up highest to meet a corner from the right, but his header was well the bar from ten yards out.
The visitors were piling on the pressure and worked a good opportunity two minutes from time as Matty Virtue looked to be in-behind, but just as he got into the box, Jaheim Headley raced back with a well-timed challenge to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Vale came within inches of sealing their place in the next round in the third minute of injury time. Mitch Clark’s throw-in down the right side was cleared as far as Mo Faal, who whistled a rising effort just over the crossbar from outside the area.
TEAM NEWS:
Port Vale: Joe Gauci, Mitch Clark, Ben Heneghan, George Byers ©, Jayden Stockley (Ryan Croasdale 60’), Ben Waine (Dajaune Brown 76’), Cameron Humphreys, Jordan Shipley, Marvin Johnson (Jaheim Headley 73’), George Hall (Mo Faal 60’), Devante Cole
Subs not used: Ben Amos, Rhys Walters, Ruari Paton, Kyle John, Ben Lomax.
Fleetwood Town: David Harrington, Zech Medley, Elliot Bonds ©, Will Davies (Owen Devonport 70’), Mark Helm, Lewis McCann (Ched Evans 40’), Jordan Davies (Matty Virtue 70’), Ethan Ennis, Harrison Neal (Kayden Hughes 58’), Conor Haughey, Toby Mullarkey (Shaun Rooney 58’).
Subs not used: Jay Lynch, Ched Evans, George Morrison, Liam Roberts, Crispin McClean.
ATT: 3,366 (166 Fleetwood Town supporters)
