Lorent Tolaj’s brace earns Vale a point at in-form Swindon Town
The Valliants had the first effort of the game after just three minutes when Jaheim Headley’s in-swinging corner was met by Jayden Stockley at the near post, but his header was straight at Jack Bycroft in the Swindon goal.
In the 10th minute, The Valiants had a great opportunity to take the lead. Good pressure from Stockley allowed him to win the ball back off Tunmise Sobowale on halfway, Rekeem Harper picked up the loose ball and raced clear off the Swindon backline. However, Joel Cotterill soon caught up with the Vale midfielder and put in an excellent last-ditch challenge.
Despite Vale’s early pressure, it was the hosts who took the lead in the 20th minute from the penalty spot. Sobowale got down the left side and was bought down in the box by Nathan Smith and the referee showed no hesitation before awarding the penalty. Swindon skipper, Will Wright stepped up and calmly placed his penalty into the bottom corner, sending Ben Amos the wrong way.
Ten minutes later, The Valiants hit back and levelled the scores. Lorent Tolaj’s cross-field ball found Stockley, who spotted the overlapping run of Headley who fired a low effort past the keeper to score his first goal the club.
Ten minutes before the break, Vale had a great chance to take the lead when Connor Hall’s low-cut back was sliced wide by Ben Garrity from 12 yards out.
However, this miss didn’t mean much as Vale went ahead in the 40th minute. Ben Garrity’s through ball found Ryan Croasdale who got to the by-line and crossed for Lorent Tolaj who powered a header past Bycroft in the Swindon goal.
As the fourth official indicated five minutes off added time, the hosts drew level when Aaron Drinan’s low cross was turned home by former Vale loanee, Danny Butterworth.
The second half didn’t have the frantic start like the first. So much so that the first shot on target of the half came just before the hour mark when Harry Smith’s header from the right side of the box was comfortable for Amos. One minute later, Amos was on hand again when he comfortably caught Butterworth’s long-range effort.
After making two comfortable saves in quick succession, There was nothing that Ben Amos could do about Joel Cotterill’s effort in the 63rd minute. The Swindon midfielder took aim from 25 yards and it flew into the top corner, leaving the Vale stopper with no chance.
As the clock ticked down, The game looked to be getting away from the Vale but in the 87th minute Vale levelled against the run of play. A Vale corner was cleared as far as George Byers who volleyed towards goal, his effort was blocked but fell kindly to Lorent Tolaj who was on hand to slam home from close range to level the game in the dying embers.
Vale had the momentum going into the last minutes of the game and squandered a great chance to snatch all three points in added time. A ball into the box wasn’t cleared and it fell kindly to Connor Hall who saw his effort from point blank range well saved by Bycroft who didn’t know much about it.
TEAM NEWS
Swindon Town:
Jack Bycroft, Tunmise Sobawale, Ryan Delaney, Will Wright ©, Nnamdi Ofoboth, Joel Cotterill, Harry Smith, Jake Cain, Tom Nichols (Joel McGregor 80), Danny Butterworth (Joe Westley 80”), Aaron Drinan (Paul Glatzel 80’).
Subs not used: Dan Barden, Kabongo Tshimanga, Grant Hall, Harry Chard.
Port Vale:
Ben Amos, Ben Heneghan, Connor Hall, Nathan Smith, Ben Garrity ©, Jayden Stockley (Ronan Curtis 39’), Ryan Croasdale George Byers 68’), Lorent Tolaj, Kyle John, Jaheim Headley, Rekeem Harper (Jemiah Umolu 68’).
Subs not used: Nathan Broome, Jesse Debrah, Antwoine Hackford, Sam Hart
