Vale’s number 17, Rory Holden, says he is ‘buzzing’ after our 2-1 win against Barnsley at Vale Park, a victory which saw us progress into the round of 16 in the Papa Johns Trophy.
The Northern Irishman provided the pass for Dennis Politic to run on to in the build-up to our first goal tonight, and after missing many matches through injury this season, the midfielder is happy to be back playing games.
He said: “I’m buzzing, I’m happy to get some minutes and contribute with an assist, and ultimately get into the next round of the cup.
“I just have to wait and bide my time, when the gaffer calls upon [me], Just deliver, like tonight I had a contribution with an assist, so hopefully whenever I’m needed next time, I can do the same.
“I had a minor setback for a few weeks, and now I’m just trying to build back in, I’ve got 60 minutes tonight and hopefully I can get more in the coming weeks.”
Vale have won every match they have played in the Papa Johns Trophy, and now they are in the hat in the round of 16, Holden has Wembley in the back of his mind.
Our midfielder said: “[We are] only three games away from Wembley, so hopefully we can kick on and win the next one.”
“Everybody wants to experience Wembley, the boys were there a few months ago, and they talk about it all the time, so for us, it’s an incentive.
“Each round you are thinking its only two games, three games, so we are getting closer and we [need to] just take each game as it comes.”
The 25-year-old formed a front three alongside goal scorer Politic, and our number nine, James Wilson.
Vale are lucky to have many brilliant attackers in the squad, and Holden enjoyed playing alongside two of our very best tonight.
“Two class players, you see Dennis’ goal, I just played it into him and he took it past a man with ease and just put it in the top corner, it’s nice to play with players like that,” said Holden.
“I learn off James [Wilson] all the time in training, he’s played at the highest level, so it was nice to get some minutes with him today.”
Vale now have just over a week to prepare for a trip down to Devon, as we face Plymouth Argyle on Friday 2nd December, and Holden will be hoping to he can build on his performance tonight against the Pilgrims.