Crosby fills in as early Vale goals sink Boro

PORT Vale assistant manager Andy Crosby was delighted with this victory over Stevenage in the absence of boss Darrell Clarke, who was away on compassionate leave.

Clarke was absent following a family bereavement, but Vale extended their unbeaten run to eight games.

And Crosby pointed to the heart and soul of the club that saw players and fans driving each other on all afternoon.

“I know how much passion the fans show to the gaffer and how much passion he has for the club as well,” said Crosby.

“It was great to hear them singing that, there’s a real connection between the players and fans and I think that could have had an influence in us scoring two goals.

“We needed it, we need everyone onside and everyone here wants us to be successful and everybody has to play a part.

“I was delighted with how we bossed the game in the first half, it gave us a sense of calmness and confidence and we had control.

“Obviously there’s been a massive mental strain on the whole football club too, so I couldn’t be prouder of the players, you could see the effort and commitment from the group.”

Vale were given a helping hand just six minutes in when visiting left-back Luke O’Neill headed James Gibbons’ free kick into his own goal.

The hosts doubled the lead with a further six minutes played, with Gibbons again at the heart of it. His twisting run got him to the byline from where he picked out Ryan Edmondson for a close-range tap-in.

It could have been worse in the first half for struggling Stevenage but keeper Christy Pym had already saved an earlier chance for Edmondson and he also gathered Ben Garrity’s goalbound header from a corner.

After the break Vale sub David Amoo sent a header wide but that was as close anyone came to scoring in the second half.

Paul Tisdale was left to rue Boro’s slow start.

“You can’t start a game away from home against a good team and be 2-0 down 12 minutes in,” he said.

“Those things do happen, but whatever you plan in the week all changes. “We did do better in the second half, but the game was over.”