Young Defender On Trophy Win

Port Vale loanee Nathan Smith described Stafford Rangers’ Staffordshire Senior Cup win at Vale Park as ‘special’.

The defender played the full 90 minutes as Neil Kitching’s side beat fellow non-league outfit Leek Town with an extra time winner from super sub Dan Cope.

Smith has been on loan at Stafford Rangers from Vale since November and, speaking port-vale.co.uk, Smith admitted that winning at Vale Park made the victory even sweeter.

“I’m very happy and very chuffed that we won,” he explained. “It’s good to win something in a season and it’s not a bad trophy to win.

“It makes me more special to win on your home ground, for sure.”

Smith was initially on a one month loan deal in October, which was extended until January in November before being extended again until the end of the season.

And the 19-year-old is now hungry for more success after winning the Staffordshire Senior Cup.

“Winning always makes you want to do better,” he said. “After you get the taste of success, you just want to get more and more.

“I’ve been getting good feedback from the coaches at Stafford Rangers and hopefully I can strive to get better.”