Extra-time heartache as Valiants lose in cup
PORT Vale are out of the FA Youth Cup after a determined fightback wasn’t enough to save them from a 3-2 defeat at Salford in the second round. Vale were on their way out when they trailed 2-0 after 56 minutes but gave themselves hope through James Plant on 66 minutes then rescued the tie in stoppage time when Plant netted from the spot.
They had beaten Walsall on penalties in last week’s first round so may have fancied their chances on spot-kicks but were denied the chance when Salford sub Harvey Walsh bent home a free-kick in extra time.
Vale under-18s manager Billy Paynter said: “We started brightly for the first 25 minutes then, I always say to my wingbacks, don’t be too deep and play as a back five. I felt that we started to drop and that allowed their full-backs to get up in the space. So that pinned us back.
“We had a discussion at half-time and I just felt, if we kept the ball better at times and maybe found that pass and had that composure on the ball, it would manage the game and get us up the pitch.
“Some boys are young and naïve and think, because we are trailing, you have to score in the next minute. But the game is 90 minutes and you have time. So, it was just managing the game.
“But I will never question their work rate, their togetherness is fantastic. It is just that basic stuff of passing quality, first touch and a bit of movement away from the ball.
“It’s another 120 minutes and I thought it was going to go to penalties. We had a good night against Walsall and it is bittersweet tonight.”
A huge positive was the way his team fought their way back into the game.
Paynter added: “When Salford’s second goes in, a few drop their heads and you are looking for leaders to pick the boys up. We got our goals by, rather than coming to feet all the time, running in behind where the space was and those slide-balls into space.
“To get one in the 95th minute, it was turning them and putting their defence under pressure. Then when you get that late on, you think, is it swinging to us, but it wasn’t to be.
“Hopefully this is a fantastic learning curve for them. They are young and still learning and they have to take this on board.”
First-team manager Darrell Clarke and his staff were at the game. Clarke has already given a first-team debut to youthteam striker Eden Bailey and defensive midfielder Ellis Jones, and included striker Kamani Mcfarlane on the bench.
Paynter added: “It is fantastic for the academy. Our job is to produce players to make it into the first team. I want some more in there. You can see the performances from a couple of individuals and they have a fantastic attitude.
“But what also helps is being around the first team when they do shape. Getting that experience also helps. It is a fantastic experience that the manager is giving the boys.”
Vale threatened early as Plant broke free on the right but his powerful low shot from the edge of the area was well saved by keeper Brad Rose at his near post. But Paynter’s side were dealt a blow on 26 minutes when Mcfarlane picked up a knock and was forced off injured, replaced by Abdi Osman.
Vale took a little time to adjust as Alfie Henderson and Djavan Pedro fired just wide from the edge of the area for the hosts.
Salford went even closer when Ben Finley sent a low strike inches wide of the far post from 15 yards.
But they took the lead in first-half injury-time when Vale couldn’t clear a corner. Joe Collinge made a fine save but the rebound fell to Lucas Kirnan who bundled it home as Vale appealed in vain for handball.
Vale’s attacking midfielder Tommy Mcdermott worked the ball on to his left foot but fired over from the edge of the area, but Salford went close to a second when Liam Humbles drilled a 20-yard strike wide.
Paynter made a double change, on 52 minutes, as Ben Lomax and Bobby Flitcroft come on for Dayo Ilori and Durrell Manhertz.
Collinge made a smart reflex save to deny Finley after the striker met Pedro’s cross. But the home side doubled their lead, on 56 minutes, as Finley found the bottom corner with a strike from the edge of the area.
Plant went close to pulling a goal back, on 62 minutes, as he ended a weaving run with a low strike just wide from 16 yards.
But Collinge had to be alert to slide to the edge of his area and just beat Stephen De Abreu Padrao to the ball.
Sub Lomax, who had scored the winning penalty in the first round win over Walsall, had an effort blocked a yard from the line by Kirnon.
But Vale hauled their way back into the game after Plant was brought down on 66 minutes. The forward took the spot kick himself and, although his effort was saved, he blasted the rebound past the keeper.
Plant’s cross just eluded Emanuel Igiehon at the far post but Collinge was called into action with a brilliant save to block Finley’s powerful effort after the striker had been played in at the near post.
Collinge made a smart stop to deny Salford sub Donovan Lescott in injury time but there was time for another twist as Collinge cleared and Abdi Osman battled his way into the area before he was brought down.
Plant took the spot-kick confidently, driving the ball low to the keeper’s right to level in the fifth minute of stoppages.
Plant came close to giving Vale the lead 13 minutes into extra time when his run from the half way line ended in a low strike from the edge of the area that keeper Brad Rose did well to palm away low to his right.
But Salford took the lead after 110 minutes when Ben Collins was fouled on the edge of the area and substitute Harvey Walsh bent the free-kick over the wall and past Collinge.