Speaking after last night’s game, John Askey says he is happy with how his team turned the game around against League One Shrewsbury Town to win 2-1 in a “great” second-half.
In their opening group game of the Leasing.com trophy, Vale hosted Sam Ricketts’ men in a back and forth game which saw both sides showcase their defensive skills and limit the other to few attempts on goal.
The visitors made the first breakthrough as a cross took some deflections before hitting the bar, hitting Kieran Kennedy and crossing the line in a difficult first-half.
The second-period saw the Valiants showcase their attacking prowess however, as they took control of the game, first equalising via David Amoo from the penalty spot before debutant Jordan Archer scored a winner.
The gaffer was impressed by how the players who were given an opportunity on the night reacted, and will take comfort in knowing that his squad will step up when called upon.
He said: “Obviously it’s really pleasing with the changes that we made, and although it’s a competition that some people don’t hold in much esteem, it’s a competition we want to do well in.
“Really pleasing the way that we played, started off really well, faded a bit in the first half but to come back and play as we did in the second-half it was great.
“Everybody did justice to themselves and it just shows we have got quite a strong squad.”
One of the players who was given an opportunity in the game by Askey was new striker Jordan Archer, who recently arrived from Bury, and he rewarded and impressed the boss with the match winning goal.
The desire for more goals has been evident from the gaffer and he said he is hopeful that Archer’s goal was the first of many as he adds more competition to that starting spot up front.
With more players throwing their names into contention to start games it will be interesting to see who is selected for Vale’s next game, which sees them make the long trip to Newport County, a game that Askey knows will be another challenging encounter.
He said: “It’s the start you want him [Archer] to have, it’ll make him feel part of the football club now.
“When you sign someone, especially a striker, you want them scoring goals and obviously he couldn’t have had a better start than that, I just hope it’s one of many.
“We’ve got a lot of tough games coming up but it’s important we try and keep that feel-good factor, especially here and it couldn’t have worked out any better, so really pleased and we just concentrate now on the Newport game.”