Ryan Edmondson scored his second goal for the club as the Valiants made it eight games unbeaten with victory over Stevenage.
The Valiants started the game the stronger side, flying out of the gates with pace and putting the pressure on Stevenage. The hosts successfully forced the error as Luke O’Niell headed James Gibbons’ cross into his own net to give the home side the early lead.
Edmondson netted Vale’s second goal just five minutes later, latching on to Man of the Match Gibbons’ low cross to bury the ball beyond Christy Pym from close range. It was a confident finish which cemented Vale’s dominance in the opening minutes of the game.
Ben Garrity came close to putting the Valiants 3-0 up before half-time, but his strong headed effort was blocked by Pym. The home side, despite lacking possession, ended the half the better side with a comfortable lead.
Stevenage have failed to score in four out of their last five games and their frustrations continued at Vale Park. Luke Norris attempted a snapshot on the brink of half-time but his effort, Stevenage’s best of the half, was easily collected by Tomas Holy.
The visitors fought back in the second half, but ultimately lacked the finishing required to beat Holy between the posts. Substitute Arthur Read tried to beat the keeper with an arching shot, but his effort was again gathered by Holy, who was rarely threatened in the match.
Vale suffered the loss of David Worrall to a leg injury late in the second half, however, his replacement David Amoo came close to scoring just minutes after coming on, his wayward header glancing narrowly wide.
Stevenage pushed forward in the final minutes hoping for a consolation, but the Valiants held firm and defended resolutely to seal all three points on a sunny afternoon at Vale Park. The win takes Vale up the table and closer to the playoff spots.
Port Vale | Holy, Gibbons (60’ Hussey), Walker, Hall, Smith, Worrall (74’ Amoo), Garrity, Wilson (66’ Charsley), Proctor, Pett, Edmondson
Subs not used | Stone, Martin, Harratt, Cooper
Stevenage | Pym, James-Wildin, Cuthbert (46’ Carter), Prosser, List (68’ Read), Taylor, Norris, Westbrooke, Vancooten, Upson, O’Niell (46’ Barry)
Subs not used | Andrade, Clements, Walker