Vale begin their pre-season with a hat full of goals
Vale saw out their first pre-season comfortably against a battling Norton United side who were praised for their efforts by Micky Adams after the game.
The Vale boss did as was expected, fielding a different side in each half as preparations for the up and coming season continued, with the emphasis on fitness.
First 45 minutes.
Port Vale:Chris Neal, Richard Duffy, Chris Robertson, Liam Chilvers, Ryan Lloyd, Jennison Myrie-Williams, Chris Shuker, Doug Loft, Kaid Mohamed, Liam Dickinson, Gavin Tomlin.
Norton United:Danny Roberts, Tom Winkle, Ben Clarkson, John Beaumont, Tom Fogg, Darren Chadwick, Mark McDonald, Richard Smith, Joe Donaldson, Lee Cropper, Dan Brown.
put Vale in front after just seven minutes.Kaid MohamedVale started the game strongly and both Tomlin and Dickinson went close before
minute.th in the 16Doug LoftThere was a scare at the other end five minutes later when Dan Brown rattled Chris Neal’s crossbar, but Vale were well on top and added a second goal through skipper
lifted his shot over the ‘keeper for Vale’s third, and Vale added a further two goals within the next four minutes as they threatened to run riot.Gavin TomlinTen minutes later
Liam Dickinson minute and the former Southend United striker was on the mark again with his second just two minutes later, volleying home from 12 yards.thhammered home Vale’s fourth in the 28
Norton’s John Beaumont struck the Vale crossbar with a firm header with half time approaching, but there was no further score before half time.
Despite conceding five first half goals, Norton ‘keeper Danny Roberts put in a terrific first half performance, making several excellent saves to prevent Vale from reaching double figures.
Vale sent out a different eleven for the second half, while the home side made four changes, with Chris Baker replacing Dan Brown, Sam Bradbury coming on for Joe Donaldson, Jamie Skellern for Mark McDonald and Tom Winkle was replaced by Niall Green.
VALE (second half):
Sam Johnson, Adam Yates, Tom Morris, Joe Davis, Doug Price, Louis Dodds, Gary O’Neill, Tom Pope, Ben Williamson, Louis Tambini. Wilson Carvalho.
minute.thVale began the second half on top, with Pope going close, before Ben Williamson hit Vale’s sixth in the 48
The game seemed a little more evenly matched in after that with neither side looking particularly dominating, although Vale knocked the ball about well at times.
Sam Johnson showed just why he is so highly rated with a fine save to deny Shaun Mountfor, diving to his right to push his shot around the upright.
met a cross from Adam Yates to steer a header past the ‘keeper to make it 7- 0.Louis Dodds minute for any further goals when thThe 800 strong crowd had to wait until the 87
finished things off with the final score Norton United 0 Port Vale 9.Louis Tambini and Tom PopeTwo goals in the final two minutes from
Match Report Dave Johnson