The Valiants hit Blackpool for five as we start the new year with a resounding 5-1 victory at Vale Park.
The Tangerines took the lead just before the half-hour mark, but were reduced to ten men in first-half stoppage time as James Husband was sent off for a reckless challenge.
The Vale started the second half in rapid fashion and completed the turnaround by the hour mark after Jayden Stockley and George Byers scored in front of the Hamil. Jaheim Headley scored Vale’s third before Devante Cole put the result beyond any doubt five minutes from time. There was a fifth for Vale deep into stoppage time as Ronan Curtis fired in an effort after George Hall's excellent work.
Caretaker manager Jamie Smith made just the one change to his side from Monday evening’s game at Bradford, with Marvin Johnson returning from injury to replace Jaheim Headley.
Prior to kick off, Vale Park perfectly observed a minute's silence to remember those who sadly lost their lives in the previous year.
The Valiants got the game underway in a blustery Burslem, and with fifteen minutes played, Vale had the first chance of the game. A ball into the box from Marvin Johnson found its way to Jayden Stockley, whose first-time effort went over the bar.
The first goal of the game followed just ten minutes later as the visitors found the back of the net. A cut back from the right-hand side was well taken by Tom Bloxham before the midfielder got a shot away that deflected past Ben Amos.
With half-time approaching, Blackpool were reduced to ten men following George Husband’s reckless tackle on Ryan Croasdale, which saw him given his marching orders by Edward Duckworth.
Two minutes into the second half, the Tangerines came close to doubling their advantage. A free kick into the box was headed towards goal by Ashley Fletcher, but his effort went just wide of Amos’ right post.
Vale hit back with a great chance of their own just moments later. George Hall did excellently down the wing and got a cross into the box, however, the resulting effort from Stockley went inches over.
The Valiants started the second half on the front foot and got their equaliser less than ten minutes after the restart. An in-swinging corner from Ronan Curtis was met by Vale's number nine Jayden Stockley, who made no mistake this time, scoring his first goal of the campaign.
Just five minutes later, the Vale were ahead, and deservedly so. Devante Cole did well to dispose of Fraser Horsfall on the left before powering towards the box and picking out an unmarked George Byers, who made no mistake from close range.
Following a quiet spell in the game, Vale got that all-important third goal with just over fifteen minutes to play at Vale Park. A diagonal ball from Jordan Shipley was taken down by recent substitute Jahiem Headley on the chest. Despite claims for a handball, Headley calmly slotted the ball underneath Peacock- Farrell to extend the home side's advantage.
As the clock ticked towards ninety, the Valiants scored their fourth goal of the game, and it was a corner that once again undid the Tangerine defence. Ronan Curtis delivered a great ball into the box, and this time it was Devante Cole who got his head to it, scoring Vale's fourth with a looping effort into the far corner.
There was still time for goals at Vale Park, and Vale got their fifth of the afternoon deep into stoppage time! George Hall had been electric since coming on and set up the fifth and final goal. Hall beat his man down the right before getting the ball across to Curtis, who took a touch and fired an effort into the bottom corner, leaving the keeper with no chance.
Team News
Port Vale: Amos, Clark, Heneghan, Byers ©, Stockley (Faal 76’), Croasdale (Curtis 46’), John (Hall 46’), Humphreys, Shipley, Johnson (Headley 67’), Cole (Walters 90’)
Unused subs: Gauci, Debrah
Blackpool: Peacock-Farrell, Husband, Casey, Horsfall, Brown (Bowler 62’), Morgan (Evans 80’), Honeyman ©, Fletcher (Banks 62’), Bloxham (Hamilton 46’), Ashworth, Imray (Lyons 63’)
Unused subs: Ravizzoli, Hansson
