REPORT - Congleton 3-4 Vale

Vale didn’t get off to the best start as they conceded in the 2nd minute as a back pass to Boot saw him try to side foot the ball to a defender, but the ball deflected off his foot into the back of the net.

The ball was then deemed to be under inflated and immediately replaced but too late to spare Ryan’s blushes.

The early stages of the ball presented little in the way of goal threat as the teams got the measure of each other.

Vale were two down after 18 minutes after a free kick that was floated to the right of the goalmouth, where Declan Fletcher rose highest to plant the ball in the far corner of the net.

Vale came back into the contest just before the half-hour mark as Dan Turner finished well from just inside the penalty area.

The Valiants had the best of the game for the rest of the half as Turner curled the ball just wide and then dropped short to collect the ball, before turning at goal and shooting, but his effort lacked power.

There were 10 changes at the break for Vale and fresh young legs who came on made an immediate impact as it only took 5 minutes of the second period for the equaliser to arrive as Benns, who was the dominant force in this half, collected a ball played over the top and went up the left wing, before centring for Green-Birch to smash into the roof of the net at the near post.

On the hour point Vale were ahead for the first time as Wakefield slotted home past the ‘keeper from close range. Vale were now looking confident and Benns smashed a shot against the outside of the post and then he shot wide from the edge of the area.

Vale continued to threaten the Bears’ goal with Daulby and Benns having more shots and the fourth goal came with seven minutes remaining as cross from the right found Daulby who clipped it under the ‘keeper and into the net.

The home team responded immediately as Fletcher got past the defender and thumped the ball home from close range for the final goal of the game.

 

Congleton Town: Tom Hunt, Corey Mason, George Mannion, Tom Quinn, Marcus Dibble, Neil Chappell, Ryan Hibbert, Ollie Ford, Declan Fletcher, Dave Sherlock, Martin Hill.

Subs: Andy Jones, Chris Lunn, Mark German, Danny Davies.

 

Port Vale:

1st Half: Ryan Boot, Max Beeston, Ryan Campbell-Gordon, Mathew Ward, Regan Upton, Luke Dennis, Joseph Berks, Billy Reeves, Dan Turner, Kyle Johnson, Joshua Ede.

2nd Half: Mawgan Blight, Jake Thomas, Ryan Campbell-Gordon, Josh Ryder, Finnley Jackson, Jack Wakefield, Jack Grimshaw, James Steele, Tom Daulby, Harry Benns, Lucas Green-Birch.

Sub not Used: Deaumu Crockwell.