Cast your vote below for Port Vale’s Reels in Motion Player of the Month for April 2023.
- April Reels in Motion Player of the Month Nominations
- Cast your vote for Port Vale’s April Player of the Month award
- James Plant, Tom Pett, Nathan Smith and David Worrall nominated
The Valiants ensured League One football would be played at Vale Park in the 2023/24 season with victory against Bristol Rovers and a draw against Oxford United proving enough in April to get the Vale over the line.
Having kicked off the month with defeats to Cambridge United and Accrington Stanley, the Valiants battled to a point at Vale Park against Oxford before a 3-2 defeat at Lincoln City instigated a tense finish to the campaign.
A brave performance at Ipswich Town almost yielded a point to bring back to Burslem, though Nathan Broadhead’s penalty sealed victory for the now promoted Tractor Boys.
The Valiants then recorded a significant victory, beating Bristol Rovers 2-0 thanks to goals from Ellis Harrison and Tom Pett before the month concluded with a 3-2 defeat at Charlton Athletic, where James Plant scored his first league goal for the Valiants and Matty Taylor fired in a penalty on his 500th career appearance.
The Nominees
James Plant
A quite amazing month for the youngster, who made his league debut for the Valiants against Oxford United before starring on his first league start against Ipswich Town.
The 18-year-old’s performances were rewarded with a first professional contract before he fired home his first senior goal for the club at Charlton Athletic in the final game of the month, impressing off the bench at the Valley.
Tom Pett
Another consistent month for the midfielder, who performed reliably in the midfield in what is his first full season at League One level.
Pett, 31, missed the trip to Ipswich Town through injury but returned to the side to score in the 2-0 win against Bristol Rovers, featuring in all but one of the Valiants’ April fixtures.
Nathan Smith
The Valiants defender passed 350 appearances for the club in April and also signed a new two-year contract at Vale Park.
Smith featured in every minute of the Valiants’ April fixtures and continued to perform at a high level, having also won the award in December and January.
David Worrall
The Vale’s experienced winger continued to perform with endeavour throughout April, featuring in all seven of the Valiants’ fixtures in the month.
Worrall, who turns 33 this summer, has played nearly 250 games for the Valiants and his experience helped Andy Crosby’s side get over the line in League One.
