Antwoine Hackford’s second half goal sends Vale to the top of Sky Bet League Two.
Darren Moore made two changes from last week’s win at Notts County. Jayden Stockley came in for Ruari Paton and Ben Heneghan replaced the injured Kyle John
Prior to kick off, Stadium MK fell silent in the memory of former MK Dons academy graduate George Baldock who sadly passed away in the week.
Vale had the first chance of the game when Ben Garrity won the ball off the defender before finding Lorent Tolaj who dragged his shot wide from the edge of the box.
Vale had another half chance in the 12th minute when Ronan Curtis’ short corner found Jack Shorrock who shot, but his low effort was comfortable for Tom McGill who held well despite pressure around him.
The hosts had the better of the ball in the early exchanges and had the game’s first real chance in the 16th minute. Aaron Nemane turned well in the box before shooting from the angle, but his effort was saved well by Connor Ripley.
In the 21st minute, the hosts had the ball in the net when Tommy Leigh broke the lines and latched onto a through ball before slotting past Ripley. However, The Dons forward hadn’t quite timed his run and he was offside.
Six minutes later, MK Dons had another goal disallowed when Leigh bundled a corner home at the near post. However, he was adjudged to have handled the ball in the process and the referee blew for a foul.
In the 38th minute, Dons keeper Tom Mcgill kicked the ball straight to the feet of Lorent Tolaj who shrugged off Liam Kelly before breaking into the box. With Vale players to his left, he went on his own before being tackled. Following this attack, the hosts broke forward and Tommy Leigh took aim from the edge of the box, but Connor Hall threw himself in front of the ball to block Leigh’s effort.
The game had finally come to life! Four minutes before the break, Ronan Curtis found himself through on goal before shooting straight at McGill who claimed the ball on the second attempt. Moments later, Vale won the ball off the MK defence. Lorent Tolaj slotted in Ryan Croasdale who did well to keep the ball in before teeing up Tolaj who saw his effort blocked by a defender.
Vale, shooting towards the 1,050 travelling fans, began the second half the brightest. After a corner from the right was cleared, Jack Shorrock found Connor Hall in space on the edge of the box. The Vale defender flicked the ball up and volleyed towards goal, but it was always slicing wide of the far post.
On the hour mark, Ryan Croasdale’s ball into the box found Lorent Tolaj who turned well before shooting towards goal, his effort took a deflection before the keeper turned it around the post.
Twenty minutes from time Vale had a great opportunity to take the lead when Tom Sang’s freekick from the left was headed over by Connor Hall who was six yards out.
The Dons took a freekick short and Liam Kelly’s chipped ball into the box was headed down by Maguire, into the path of Lemonheigh-Evans who saw his effort deflected wide.
In the 76th minute, Vale finally opened the scoring and what a goal it was! After some good football in the middle of the park, Jack Shorrock broke forward and whipped in a peach of a delivery that was turned home by Antwoine Hackford who finished excellently on the volley.
Hackford had a golden chance to double his lead just five minutes later when he went through on goal. As he bared down on goal, McGill came flying off his line and made a good save to deny a quickfire double.
After the goal, the hosts pressed for a leveller and came close in the 86th minute. Joe Tomlinson looked to scuff his corner, but It fell kindly to Lemonheigh-Evans who looked to steer it home at the near post, but Ripley got across well and saved.
As we entered four minutes of added time, Vale had another opportunity to double their lead. Jesse Debrah’s clearance was chased down by Hackford who beat the defender to the ball, but his first touch was big, and McGill beat him to the second ball before clearing upfield.
Finally, the referee blew the full-time whistle to end the game and The Vale ran out 1-0 winners thanks to Antwoine Hackford’s second half goal. This result sends Vale to the top of the league and continues our good run of eight game unbeaten run in all competitions.
TEAM NEWS:
MK Dons: Tom McGill, Jack Tucker, Alex Gilbey ©, Liam Kelly, Joe Tomlinson, Aaron Nemane, Luke Offord, Tommy Leigh (Ellis Harrison 67’), Laurence Maguire, Connor Lemoneigh-Evans, Joe White (Scott Hogan 58’).
Subs not used: Craig MacGillivary, Dean Lewington, MJ Williams, Brooklyn Ilunga.
Port Vale: Connor Ripley, Ben Heneghan, Connor Hall, Ben Garrity ©, Jayden Stockley, Ronan Curtis (Rico Richards 73’), Ryan Croasdale (Jason Lowe, Lorent Tolaj (Antwoine Hackford 67’), Jesse Debrah, Jack Shorrock, Brandon Cover (Tom Sang 67’).
Subs not used: Ben Amos, Ethan Chislett, Ruari Paton.
Author: Jack Beresford, Port Vale FC Volunteer
