Vale were looking to bounce back from their defeat away to Bristol Rovers three days prior, and to keep their home record intact.

In line for his full debut was Liverpool-loanee Sam Hart who replaced the injured Jerome Thomas, and helped the Valiants secure a 3-1 win over the Lions.

Hart spoke exclusively to Valiant PlayerHD after the final whistle about his first Vale Park appearance.

“Yes, it felt great. I’ve had to wait a few weeks now, to settle in and obviously to be given the nod by the gaffer. 

“I was playing out of position, so he has shown a lot of faith in me, and hopefully I repaid him by showing him what I can do.”

Hart admitted that going out on loan was not an easy decision, but a decision that seems to be coming to fruition for the left-back:

“It was a tough call whether to come out on loan or not, and I’m glad I did because I’m learning so much, from the players and the gaffer, and I’m really enjoying it.”

Hart grabbed himself an assist as his pin-point corner was met by Remie Streete who headed home the Valiants third goal, something that the Liverpool-loanee was delighted with: 

“Obviously you’ve just got to put the ball into good areas, because we have two centre-halves that love to attack the ball. I did that, and Remie leapt well and got the goal. So happy.”

The 20-year old was in the squad to replace the injured Jerome Thomas, and was not deterred by playing out position at all: “I think I coped with it well. Getting on the ball in a different position, as a left-winger rather than a left-back, it’s a lot different, something that I need to adapt to. 

“But playing with the lads, they gave me a lot of confidence”, he added.