Mick Ede fielded a strong Reserves side as the Valiants faced Notts County Reserves in today's Central League tie, which saw Vale come out on top in an end to end game here at Vale Park.
It was a starting XI full of first team players looking to gain more minutes under their belts, with the likes of Antony Kay, Lewis Hardcastle, Michael Tonge and Dave Worrall all featuring. Danny Pugh also took a break from the coaching side of things to feature alongside Kay and centre back.
It took the Valiants just six minutes to take the lead. Lewis Hardcastle chased down Notts County goalkeeper Max Culverwell, who's pressured clearance only went as far as David Worrall. The midfielder whipped the ball straight back into the box, taking a deflection off the County defender and onto Quigley, who tapped the ball into the empty net.
Quigley quickly doubled the lead for the Vale and grabbed his second of the game. The striker made a smart run through the County defence which was found well by Lewis Hardcastle, and Quigley made no mistake of it when he found himself one on one with the keeper and smashed the ball into the top corner.
Notts County had very limited chances but after 30 minutes, they took advantage of a rare opportunity in front of goal and pulled one back. Sam Osbourne found himself in space on the left wing and the drove into the box, and fired the ball past Sam Hornby.
Heading into the second half, Vale looked to finish the game off early on but couldn't capitalise on the chances created. Idris Kanu sailed past the County full back down the left wing and into box, and his driven cross across the face of goal should've been finished by Quigley for his hat trick, but he fired it over the bar. Worrall also came close to adding a third, but his effort didn't quite have enough curl to find the top corner.
The missed chances came round to sting Vale in the worse possible way, as Notts County drew level out of nowhere. Theo Vassell was judged to have handle the ball inside his own area and the referee awarded the penalty, which was finished by Remaye Campbell.
Vale however made sure they took full advantage of their next opportunity, as Idris Kanu restored Vale's lead moments later. Scott Quigley was patient with the ball down the left hand side before drilling the ball across the face of goal, and Kanu was there to side foot home his volley just yards form goal. Worrall added a fourth shortly after, as Quigley's cross was cleared only as far as the winger on the edge of the box who volleyed it through a crowd of players and into the bottom corner.
After looking to set to be within a worrying final 15 minutes when Notts County added a third, in comical fashion Vale scored their fifth. Brendon Daniels chipped ball into the box calld havoc, and as Notts County attempted to clear their lines the clearance took a deflection off Owen Betts' back and flew back into the net. That proved to be the final goal in an entertaining afternoon at Vale Park, as Mick Ede made it 2 wins in 2 for the Reserves in the Central League.
Vale Reserves XI: Sam Hornby, Joe Davis (Joe Berks), Antony Kay, Danny Pugh, Theo Vassell, Dave Worrall, Lewis Hardcastle, Michael Tonge, Brendon Daniels, Idris Kanu, Scott Quigley
Unused Subs: Finley Jackson, Joshua Ede, Jack Wakefield
Notts County Reserves XI: Max Culverwell, Owen Newell, Leo Marshall, Oscar Ramirez, Owen Betts, Declan Dunn, Kieran Cummings, Tom Crawford, Remaye Campbell, Coden Duncan (Corey Bucalossi), Sam Osbourne
Unused Subs: Charlie Wilde, Tiernan Brooks