Port Vale delivered a stunning attacking performance to thrash Manchester City U21 5-0 and secure their place in the EFL Trophy knockout rounds. The emphatic victory at Vale Park on Tuesday night saw Jon Brady's side score four times in a blistering first-half display.
Maleace Asamoah opened the scoring after just four minutes, side-footing home after a pass from Onel Hernández. Aaron McGowan, making his full debut for the club, then headed in a corner to double the lead inside ten minutes. Max Watters added a third on the half-hour mark, his mis-timed header somehow looping over the line, before Lewis Montsma powered in a header from McGowan's cross to make it 4-0 before the break. Substitute Keyrol Figueroa completed the rout in the second half with another headed goal, this time from Kyle John's delivery.
Commanding from the start
The result was never in doubt after Vale's explosive start, which left the young City side with no way back into the tie. The hosts controlled large periods with 58% possession and created the clearer chances, registering nine shots on target. The clean sheet was a welcome bonus for a defence that has conceded 12 goals in League Two this season, where the team currently sits 23rd with 12 points from 11 games.
Manager Jon Brady will have been particularly pleased with the timing of the goals, which came after a specific focus in training on starting games faster. The team had set a target of scoring within the first 15 minutes, a goal they achieved twice over with strikes in the 4th and 10th minutes. This result provides a significant morale boost ahead of a key home league fixture against 17th-placed Rochdale this Saturday, a match that kicks off at 15:00 at Vale Park. Vale's recent league form has been mixed, with a win against Chesterfield and a draw at Gillingham followed by a defeat at York last weekend. The comprehensive nature of this Trophy win, however, suggests the squad has the firepower to climb the standings.
Port Vale now turn their full focus to that Rochdale match at Vale Park. Securing three points in that fixture is the immediate priority as the club looks to build momentum and move away from the lower reaches of League Two. The convincing manner of this Trophy victory, built on an early goal blitz, offers a clear template for success in the key league encounter to come.
