Vale suffer Boxing Day defeat at Valley Parade after 2-1 defeat against Bradford City.
The game’s first goal came after just three minutes when Andy Cook received the ball thirty yards out with his back to goal. The Bradford striker cut inside before striking a thunderbolt past Connor Ripley to add to his already impressive goal tally for the season.
Seven minutes later Bradford came close again. Bobby Pointon got into the box and cut inside before firing a tame effort straight at Ripley. Vale’s keeper was called into action again in the 16th minute when he got down quickly to save Ciaran Kelly’s low header.
Vale grew into the game and began to play the better football out of the two sides however they were unable to create a meaningful chance of note. The closest Vale came in the first home was when Connor Hall headed over following Ethan Chislett’s in-swinging corner.
The Valiants started the second half the brighter of the two sides, Ethan Chislett’s shot from the corner of the penalty area was comfortable for Sam Walker in the Bantams goal.
Whatever Darren Moore said at halftime had a huge effect on his side as The Valiants levelled the scores five minutes after the break. Ryan Croasdale’s cross was nodded down by Jayden Stockley into the path of Antwoine Hackford who found the top corner with an exquisite first-time finish.
Vale’s tails were up and after levelling the game with a great strike, Antwoine Hackford was pushing for his second of the game. The Vale forward burst into the Bradford box before pulling the trigger, but a Bantams defender threw his body in front of the ball and produced a goal-saving block.
This tackle proved vital as the hosts regained the lead on the hour mark. A deep free-kick was met by Andy Cook who headed home to grab his second goal of the game and his 11th of the season.
Four minutes later Bradford keeper Sam Walker produced and excellent save to keep the scores level. Ryan Croasdale’s clip towards the back-post was met by a powerful, downward header from Jayden Stockley that looked destined for the bottom corner, but the Bradford keeper managed to claw it to safety.
Walker was the busiest of the two keepers and he was forced into action again in the 78th minute when he claimed Hackford’s low effort at his near post.
Vale were pushing for a leveller and came inches away from finding it in the 83rd minute. After some good football on the edge of the box, the ball eventually fell to Tom Sang who curled an effort just over the bar from the left side of the box.
Two minutes later Vale came even closer to levelling. Tom Sang’s cross from the left was met by Jayden Stockley who saw his header shave the post before going agonisingly wide of Sam Walker’s goal.
In the 93rd minute, Vale had a corner that was cleared away and the hosts looked to break, but Tom Sang halted the attack with a foul. The referee played on before bringing play back and sending off Sang.
TEAM NEWS
Bradford City: Sam Walker, Brad Haliday, Lewis Richards, Richie Smallwood ©, Calum Kavanagh (Olly Sanderson 76’), Andy Cook, Antoni Sarcevic, Aden Baldwin, Ciaran Kelly, Paul Huntington (Jack Shepherd 58’), Bobby Pointon
Subs not used: Colin Doyle, Jamie Walker, Clarke Odour, Tyreik Wright, Jay Benn.
Port Vale: Connor Ripley, Ben Heneghan, Connor Hall ©, Jayden Stockley, Ethan Chislett, Jason Lowe (Rico Richards 67’), Ryan Croasdale (Ruari Paton 76’), Tom Sang, Jesse Debrah (Lorent Tolaj 85’), Brandon Cover (Mitch Clark 67’), Antwoine Hackford
Subs not used: Ben Amos, Nathan Smith, Ronan Curtis.
