Jayden Stockley’s late winner earns Vale all three points at Crewe Alexandra.
After a closely fought game with limited chances, it was the Valiants who took three points back up the A500 after Jayden Stockley’s close-range header in the 86th minute
Following our midweek defeat against Barrow, Darren Moore made four changes to his starting XI as Ryan Croasdale, Rhys Walters, Mitch Clark and Lorent Tolaj all returned to the side.
Crewe had the game’s first opportunity. A clearance was held up well by Chris Long who spotted the forward run of Kane Hemmings, the Crewe forward raced towards goal and looked to pull the trigger as he got into the box, but Jesse Debrah came across with an excellent last-ditch challenge to stop Hemmings in his tracks.
Vale’s first opportunity of the game came midway through the first half when Tom Sang’s deep cross was headed into the path of Ryan Croasdale who took a touch and fired a low effort straight at Filip Marschall who made an excellent save with legs.
Ten minutes before the break the hosts had their first shot of the game when a low cross fell to the feet of Chris Long who teed up Matus Holicek on the edge the box, but his low effort was sliced wide of the upright.
Just before the break Crewe came inches away from taking the lead. Hemmings and Long linked up well on the edge of the box which allowed the latter to get in behind, but as he tried a deft chip Amos raced out and made an excellent save. The rebound then fell to Max Conway who saw his effort once again saved by Amos. Vale failed to clear the danger and were saved by the crossbar as Tom Lowery’s strike crashed off the woodwork.
The Railwaymen started the second half like they finished the first and came close to taking the lead when Lewis Billington’s effort took a deflection before looping over the crossbar.
In the aftermath of this attack Nathan Smith went down off the ball and after a lengthy discussion between referee and his linesman, Zac Williams was shown a yellow card.
The second half was cagey and lacked any real chances of note. Vale’s first opportunity of the second period came fifteen minutes from time when Sang’s cross from the right fell to Rico Richards who fired wide on the turn.
Seven minutes from time Vale fashioned another good opportunity when Jayden Stockley’s cross from the right was met by a weak effort from Ryan Croasdale and it was comfortable for Marschall in the Alex goal.
Vale’s pressure finally paid off as they took the lead in the 87th minute. Mitch Clark’s long throw from the right wasn’t cleared by the Crewe defence and it fell to Jayden Stockley who headed home from close range to put his side in the lead and spark scenes of bedlam in the Ice Cream Van Stand.
The referee indicated ten minutes of added time for Vale to hold out for a dramatic away victory. Sometimes the best form of defence is attack and Vale had a good chance to double the lead but Jayden Stockley’s effort from the right arrowed over the crossbar.
The Valiants held firm and managed the game well to see out the win and pick up a crucial three points to start a massive week for the club.
Next up for the Vale is the visit of 2nd placed Bradford City on Tuesday night in what promises to be an excellent game at Vale Park.
Crewe Alexandra: Fiilip Marschall, Zac Williams (Omar Bogle 89’), Mickey Demetriou ©, Chris Long (Jack Lankester 75’), Joel Tabiner (Max Sanders 25’), Kane Hemmings, Matus Holicek, Max Conway, Connor O’Riordan, Lewis Billington (Ryan Cooney 89’, Tom Lowery
Subs not used: Tom Booth, Jamie Knight-Lebel, Jack Powell.
Port Vale: Ben Amos, Mitch Clark, Connor Hall, Nathan Smith, Ben Garrity ©, Jayden Stockley, Ryan Croasdale, lorent Tolaj (Ronan Curtis 90’), Tom Sang (Jack Shorrock 82’), Jesse Debrah, Rhys Walters (Rico Richards 70’).
Subs not used: Nathan Broome, Jason Lowe, Antwoine Hackford, Rekeem Harper
