DAGNALL HEADER DENIES VALIANTS
ACHRIS DAGNALL header settled this hotly contested derby to move Crewe up to fourth and leave Port Vale still seeking their first home point of the season.
Only 12 miles separate the two clubs, but Crewe’s quality set them apart from a Vale side who played for an hour with 10 men following the dismissal of Michael Tonge.
Crewe could and should have added to their tally but manager David Artell had few grumbles.
“I am extremely happy with the win and the performance,” said Artell. “Vale really made a game of it in the second half but we showed we are a side with great character.
“We were resolute and resilient, which is admirable given we are a young side learning all the time.
“It got a little heated but it’s a derby so one must expect that. We never bowed. Port Vale, to their credit, had a go in the second period but we defended very well.
“I am delighted with our start to the season, but it’s early days so no one is getting carried away.”
Crewe started brightly and nearly took the lead in the first minute, Zoumana Bakayogo’s rising drive clipping the Vale crossbar.
Vale harassed and hustled to seize the initiative back from the Alex but had little about them in the attacking sense other than long, high balls played up to Tom Pope. Crewe were dangerous on the break and took the lead on the half-hour. George Cooper provided a quality ball from the left, and Dagnall lost his marker to deftly head past Sam Hornby who thought it prudent not to move. Vale faced an uphill task in this feisty derby when they were reduced to 10 men after 34 minutes. Tonge dismissed for a clumsy tackle on Crewe dangerman George Cooper.
Vale began the second period with three in midfield and three up front and nearly came close to an equaliser.
Tom Pope headed against the Crewe crossbar and from the rebound substitute Rekeil Pyke saw his effort headed off the line by Eddie Nolan.
For all Vale’s attacking intent there was more hope than expectancy to their play around the Alex box. Pope and Pyke again went close but neither unduly worried Ben Garratt to leave home manager Michael Brown to wonder what could have been after feeling that Tonge was harsh to be given his marching orders.
“It is very disappointing to lose. I don’t think Michael Tonge’s challenge merited a sending-off. It was the turning point in the game,” he said.
“We switched it in the second period, pushed an extra man up front and came very close to an equaliser.
“We have brought in 17 players this summer and it will take time for them to bed in but we saw enough for us to believe we are on the right track.”