The Valiants lead twice, but the spoils are shared at Vale Park following a 2-2 draw against Burton Albion.
After the 1-0 loss at home to Wimbledon during the week, Jon Brady made four changes to his side that faced Burton Albion. Jayden Stockley, Ben Waine and George Hall came into the first 11, while Eli Campbell made his first start for the Valiants. New recruits Tyler Magloire and Andre Gray were on the bench.
The Valiants got the game underway and after six minutes, Ethon Archer opened the scores. Albion captain, Udoka Godwin-Malife, received a yellow card after he fouled Ben Waine on the edge of the box. Our number 11’s free-kick went up and over the wall and nestled into the top corner to score his first goal for the Vale.
Ten minutes later, the Valiants created another opportunity when Archer whipped a dangerous outswinging corner onto the head of Connor Hall, but the captain's effort went well over Burton goalkeeper, Bradley Collins’ crossbar.
In the 25th minute, Jake Beesley equalises for the Brewers after flicking the ball with the outside of his foot in at the near post from a corner.
The Valiants took the lead again, just minutes after Burton Albion equalised. Following a Vale corner, there was a scramble in the box, where the ball fell to the feet of Ben Waine, who slammed home from close range.
Burton’s Lofthouse had a great chance from six yards out, but was denied by Joe Gauci, in the final minute of the first half.
Jayden Stockley headed Kyle John’s ball forward and into the path of Ben Waine, who let it bounce before volleying an effort from 25 yards that went well over the crossbar.
Burton Albion scored their second goal of the game in the 52nd minute, Jake Beesley scored again for the Brewers as he finished a cross from close range. Moments later, the visitors almost took the lead as forward, Tyrese Shade, struck the post.
With half an hour left on the clock, Burton had chances which were all denied. McKiernan found a loose ball which he struck at Gauci’s post, after Funso Ojo and Ryan Croasdale had thrown themselves in-front of multiple efforts.
One of Vale’s best efforts of the second half fell to Archer, who, looking to score his second of the game, was denied with 15 minutes left. Having got on to the end of Kyle John’s cross, but saw his effort going straight to Collins’ arms. A moment later, Waine, from 20 yards out, hit a ferocious effort which crashed off the crossbar.
In the last few minutes of the game, the Valiants were finding more success down the right-hand side. George Hall’s cross found its way to Brown, but the number ten couldn’t get a clean connection with the shot, which was saved low by the Burton keeper.
Vale’s final effort saw Hall send in another dangerous cross from the right, which was again met by Brown, but his effort was cleared off the line by the Burton Albion captain.
TEAM NEWS:
Port Vale: Joe Gauci, Connor Hall ©, Jayden Stockley (76’ Andre Gray), Ethon Archer (82’ Rhys Walters), Funso Ojo, Ryan Croasdale (92’+3 Tyler Magloire), Ben Waine (76’ Dajaune Brown), Kyle John, Cameron Humphreys, Eli Campbell, George Hall.
Subs not used: Ben Amos, Jordan Gabriel, Liam Gordon.
Burton Albion: Brad Collins, Udoka Godwin-Malifé ©, Terence Vancooten (69’ Toby Sibbick), JJ McKiernan, Jake Beesley, Tyrese Shade (87’ Kain Adom), George Evans, Koran Lofthouse, Alex Hartridge, Sebastian Revan, Sulyman Krubally (77’ Andy Cannon).
Subs not used: Kamil Dudek, Jack Armer, Fábio Tavares, Millar Matthews-Lewis.
