Development squad record another win
JulythPre season friendly – 17
Market Drayton Town 1 Port Vale 2
The Vale development squad picked up their third pre-season victory with a hard fought success to add to their wins at Alsager Town and Rocester thanks to strikes by Wilson Carvalho and Jordan Hugill.
The Valiants’ starting line up contained nine young professionals plus two youth teamers. Gary O’Neill and Louis Tambini both sent shots wide of the mark as Vale began to exert early pressure, but Sam Johnson was also kept alert at the other end.
Right on half time Vale took the lead with an excellent goal. Carvalho found room on the left and he cut inside beating two men to hit a superb 25-yard shot into the far corner of the net.
minute Elliott Osbourne broke clear on the left before sending a shot just over the bar.thMarket Drayton, members of the Evo-Stik Division One South, fought hard for an equaliser after the break but the Vale defence, well marshalled by Dougie Price, held firm. In the 65
Vale did make it 2-0 a quarter of an hour from time with another good goal. A long ball out of defence saw Hugill hold the ball up well and he held off the challenge of Paul McMullen before turning and firing the ball into the far corner of the net.
Three minutes later Market Drayton pulled a goal back. Substitute Rob Stevenson took the ball past the advancing Johnson and turned the ball home from a very narrow angle.
Vale team – Johnson, Alexander, Jefford, O’Neill, Price, Morris, Osborne (Swarby 77), Wright (Beesley 77), Hugill, Tambini, Carvalho
Subs not used – Boot, Smith, Lander, M.Davies
Report by Phil Sherwin