The Valiants secure an extra point with a penalty shootout win against Wolves Under 21s at Vale Park.
It was the visitors who had the first clear chance of the game four minutes in, Finn Ashworth picked up a loose ball and drove towards goal before firing a shot just wide of the mark.
Vale’s first opening followed a couple of minutes later, the ball was worked well to Jayden Stockley who laid a smart ball onto Ethan Chislett, but our number 10 placed his shot wide.
The Valiants had a golden opportunity to take the lead just past the twenty-minute mark, Ethan Chislett found himself in all sorts of space at the edge of the box, but decided to play in Jayden Stockley and his pass was intercepted by a Wanderers defender.
It was however Wolves who took the lead five minutes later, a diagonal ball out to the winger was moved inside to Tom Edozie who let fly and beat Ben Amos to give the visitors the lead.
There was almost an instant response from Darren Moore’s side, Benicio received the ball on the wing and cut inside, his resulting shot however flew just wide of the woodwork.
Ronan Curtis came incredibly close to finding an equaliser on the stroke of half time, Vale worked the ball neatly around the box and found the Winger, but his shot couldn’t find the bottom corner
Half Time: Port Vale 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s
Darren Moore made two changes at the break with Lorent Tolaj and Rico Richards replacing Ethan Chislett and Benicio.
Vale continued to push for an equaliser and finally got their reward on the hour mark when the ball fell kindly to substitute Lorent Tolaj on the half volley who cannoned a shot into the top left corner.
The quick turnaround was nearly complete as Antwoine Hackford almost made an instant impact. He found space 18 yards out and forced a good save out of Tom King in the Wolves net.
Ronan Curtis almost put Vale into the lead with just over 10 minutes remaining, a sloppy pass from the Wolves defender was pounced upon by Curtis whose effort went over the crossbar.
Wolves regained the lead against the run of play, a sloppy pass out of the Vale defence was gathered by Fletcher Holman who hit a wonderful strike over Ben Amos and into the top right corner.
Vale hit back instantly and equalised once again two minutes later, James Plant played a delicious ball across the box and after a good save from the Wolves goalkeeper, it was Ronan Curtis who ensured the ball eventually went over the line.
The home side had one final chance before the final whistle, Ronan Curtis delivered a floating cross into the box, which was met by the head of Lorent Tolaj, but he could only direct his effort over the bar.
The game ended in a draw meaning that a penalty shootout was required to see who gained the extra point.
The shootout started with six perfect penalties before Matt Whittingham missed his spot kick leaving Vale to lead and Rico Richards made no mistake.
It was left to Jason Lowe to win the shootout, but his effort was saved. Following another Wolves miss, James Plant had another chance to secure the extra point, and he calmly placed the ball into the corner giving Darren Moore’s side the win.
Full Time: Port Vale 2-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s (Port Vale win 5-4 on penalties)
Port Vale Starting XI: Ben Amos, Nathan Smith, George Byers (Ben Lomax 61’), Jayden Stockley (Antwoine Hackford 61’), Ethan Chislett (Rico Richardson 46’), Ronan Curtis, Jason Lowe, Tom Sang, James Plant, Jesse Debrah (Karl Agnero 77’), Benicio (Lorent Tolaj 46’)
Unused Subs: Connor Ripley, Andrew Buah
Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s Starting XI: Tom King, Josh Esen, Alfie Pond, Fil Mabete, Aaron Keto-Diyawa, Dani Angel (Owen Farmer 73’), Alfie White (Fletcher Holman 73’), Matt Whittingham, Finn Ashworth, Tom Edozie (Ty Barnett 64’) Caden Voice
Unused Subs: Arthur Nasta, Tess Igbinoghene, Hayden Carson, Emilio Matthews
