Reserves

It was a slow start in snowy conditions at Vale Park as Port Vale fielded a strong line-up against a young Mansfield side. The latest occupant of the left back berth being Montano and whilst newcomers Howkins and Howe were paired up as the centre backs.

The first opportunity fell to the visitors as unsuccessful challenges saw the ball arrive at Danquah’s feet but he shot wildly and didn’t threaten Boot’s goal. Vale responded with Angus getting down the right and crossing to Wilson whose miss-hit shot went to Harness, who shot hard towards the near post where it was parried over the bar by the ‘keeper. Vale should have taken the lead just after the quarter hour mark as a blocked effort fell to Forrester 15 yards out but he ballooned the ball way over the bar.

Vale were creating plenty of chances, and applying all the pressure. Montano, Forrester and Angus were linking up very well and Vale finally took the lead on the half hour mark, Forrester began the move by laying off the ball to Regis and then taking the return ball in his stride before sweeping the ball into the far corner of the net. Vale could’ve doubled their lead soon after. Montano and Harness’ clever passage of play resulted in a corner, which was met by Howe and his strong header was saved on the line.

The second goal for Vale was added after Boot made a good save from a powerful shot, Vale went up to the other end where Forrester netted after weaving past 3 defenders. The striker cut in from the right before firing the ball home from 15 yards with 36 minutes on the clock.  Forrester was then denied a quick hat trick as the ‘keeper dived full length to push a goal bound effort away.

Vale were continuing to totally dominate with Wilson finding Angus who found Forrester, and his shot was saved and reached Regis 35 yards out; he arrowed a shot just inside the near post where the ‘keeper made an excellent save but Vale were not to be denied. A moved started by Wilson saw Angus square the ball across from the right to Forrester who sent a couple of players sliding the wrong way before hammering the ball into the roof of the net for his third goal to complete his hat trick in 13 minutes.

Forrester, probably having done enough to impress the watching Aspin, was replaced at the break by Barnett and Walford came on for Harness, a move that allowed Montano to move forward and also Angus to move into a more central role. But it was new boy Howe that scored within minutes of the restart as a corner went over the ‘keeper and he neatly headed back into the far corner of the net.

Mansfield’s keeper, Wilson, saved then from falling further behind with some excellent saves after Barnett won the ball out on the right and fed Montano for a run at goal that resulted in his shot being saved at the near post, the ball came out to Middleton who blasted the ball goalwards only to see the ‘keeper again save with his feet.

Vale did extended their lead on 60 minutes as after an initial shot was blocked, Barnett squared the ball for Montano to blast home. The Vale were heading Aspin’s words about last week’s performance and were still applying the pressure as  Barnett blasted over from a tight angle, followed by Angus cutting in from the left and his low cross to the far post was just nudged away from the onrushing Barnett as Vale looked to equal their best result of the season.

Boot, who had virtually been a spectator, made a good save from close range from Gooden to retain his clean sheet. With just 4 minutes left Boot was out quickly again to close Gooden down and force him to shoot wide when a goal looked imminent. Angus then added Vale’s sixth, as a long kick from Boot bounced over the defence allowing Angus to take it on and sidestep the ‘keeper to slip it home from 12 yards to score his first goal for the club.

PORT VALE: Ryan Boot, Joe Davis, Christian Montano, Harry Middleton, Kyle Howkins, Callum Howe, Marcus Harness (Charlie Walford 46), Donovan Wilson (Harry Benns 61), Chris Regis, Anton Forrester (Tyrone Barnett 46), Dior Angus.   

SUB NOT USED: Dequan Crockwell, Josh Ryder.

MANSFIELD TOWN: Sam Wilson, Kane Baldwin, Henri Wilder, Harry Bircumshaw, Kieran Harrison, Aiden Walker, Jason Law (Iyrwah Gooden 75), Lewis Collins, Zayn Hakeem (Rhys Sarson 78), Aiden George (Riley O'Sullivan 55), Louis Danquah (Cameron Weston 66).

SUB NOT USED: Xavier Sundby.