Sam Nombe’s first half brace was enough to see Rotherham pick up all three points at the ASSEAL New York Stadium despite a spirited and much improved second half performance from Port Vale on the opening Day of the 2025/56 Skybet League One
Darren Moore handed debuts to four of his summer signings which included Cameron Humphreys who returned to his former employers.
The hosts had the game’s first effort after one minute when a deep free kick was headed as far as Liam Kelly who fired a low effort first time effort past the post. The Vale hadn’t settled as the hosts came close again when Joe Powell’s effort whistled wide of Marosi’s goal.
The hosts took the lead in the 13th minute when Joe Rafftery’s cross from the right was turned home at the back post by Sam Nombe who finished well with a first-time effort.
Vale’s first real shot in anger came twenty minutes into the game when Mitch Clark found space on the edge of the box before driving an effort just wide Cameron Dawson’s goal.
Five minutes later, Former Valiant Jordan Hugill met a cross from the left with a powerful header, but it was comfortably claimed by Marko Marosi who was making his first league start for the Vale.
The Millers lead was doubled on the half hour mark. Joe Powell’s corner from the left was headed goalwards by Denzel Hall who forced a good save from Marosi, but the rebound fell to Nombe who headed home his second of the game from close range.
Vale’s afternoon went from bad to worse three minutes later when Jaheim Headley was shown a straight red following after a challenge on Sam Nombe.
Despite being down to ten, Darren Moore’s side continued to attack. Jayden Stockley’s header down was latched onto by Lorent Tolaj who drove towards goal before dragging an effort wide of the near post.
On the brink of half time The Valiants worked their best opportunity of the game as Ben Waine drove into the Rotherham half, he found Stockley down the right side who hung up a cross towards Waine who carried on his run. However, Vale’s Kiwi striker headed straight at Dawson in the Rotherham goal.
At the break, Darren Moore shuffled the pack and made a triple change to try and nullify the Rotherham attack. Two of the subs combined for Vale’s first attempt of the second half as Ronan Curtis header over following Funso Ojo’s free-kick.
Seven minutes later, Vale manufactured another attack as Ronan Curtis headed down Marko Marosi’s free kick into the path of Lorent Tolaj who forced a good save from Cameron Dawson down to his right.
Despite being a man down, Vale started the second the second half the better of the two sides and deservedly halved the deficit on the hour mark. George Byers spotted the run of Mitch Clark who fired a low, first time ball across the face of goal that was met by Conor hall at the back post who turned home from close range.
Fifteen minutes from time Vale looked to catch The Millers on the counterattack as Lorent Tolaj looked to break. However, he was pulled back by Zak Jules who had already been booked and he was shown his marching orders so both sides were now down to ten men.
As we entered the final ten minutes of the game it was all Vale. George Byers fired over from the corner of the box following good work from Ryan Croasdale to win the ball back in the final third.
After the referee indicated seven minutes of additional time, Vale came inches away from levelling the scores. Clark’s throw in from the left was eventually cleared as far as Ronan Curtis who scuffed his shot into the path of Lorent Tolaj who crashed an effort off the post from a tight angle.
TEAM NEWS
Rotherham United: Cameron Dawson, Joe Rafferty ©, Zak Jules, Liam Kelly (Dru Yearwood 66’), Reece James, Joe Powell, Jordan Hugill (Kion Etete 79’) Sam Nombe (Ar’Jany Martha 78’), Denzel Hall (Marvin Kaleta 67’), Dan Gore.
Subs not used: Ted Cann, Ar’Jany Martha, Shaun McWilliams.
Booked: Dan Gore
Sent off: Zak Jules
Port Vale: Marko Marosi, Mitch Clark (Ben Heneghan 95’), Jaheim Headley, Connor Hall, George Byers ©, Jayden Stockley (Ryan Croasdale 45’), Lorent Tolaj, Ben Waine (Ronan Curtis 54’), Jesse Debrah, Cameron Humphreys, Jordan Shipley (Funso Ojo 45’).
Subs not used: Arron Davies, Rico Richards, Kyle John.
Booked: George Byers
Sent Off: Jaheim Headley
Attendance: 9883 (2,052 visiting supporters)