OUR GARRITY IS INCREDIBLE, SAYS CROSBY
ANDY Crosby was full of praise for Ben Garrity after the midfielder’s brace helped Port Vale to a thumping win at home to Crawley.
The visitors took an early lead through Nathan Smith’s own goal, but Garrity scored his ninth and tenth of the season, either side of David Worrall’s goal, before Connor Hall sealed the win with Vale’s fourth.
Crosby, taking charge with manager Darrell Clarke on compassionate leave, insisted Garrity – who came up through non-league football – has more to come before the season’s end.
“I think Ben is an incredible example of someone whose journey has been slightly different,” said the Valiants’ assistant manager. “He’s not come through the system from a young age, he’s had to fight and scrap for everything he’s got and he does what he does every single day.
“He does whatever he can to try to improve and he should be an inspiration to the group. He’s got ten goals already and I think there’s more in him. I think his game has developed and grown.
“He has obvious attributes in terms of his energy but that would maybe be a sleight on him because he’s got more than that. He’s really grown and developed and I’m delighted for him.”
Crawley were handed a ninthminute lead with Smith scoring an unfortunate own goal. After keeper Aidan Stone had saved from Ludwig Francillette at a corner, a frantic scramble saw an attempted clearance hit Smith and rebound over the line.
The hosts drew level after 26 minutes through Garrity. Tom Pett chipped a neat lob over the defence and Garrity beat keeper Glenn Morris to the ball before rolling it into an empty net.
It got better for the Valiants in the 38th minute, when James Wilson sent the ball across the face of goal to give Worrall a simple tap-in.
Crawley almost got back on level terms just before the break, but Stone superbly saved Kwesi Appiah’s first-time volley.
Garrity stretched the lead six minutes into the second half. After Jamie Proctor flicked on a long ball, Garrity kept a cool head and sent a fine first-time finish into the bottom corner. Hall completed Crawley’s miserable afternoon with
Vale’s fourth. Harry Charsley was denied by a last-ditch tackle, but the ball fell kindly for Hall and he slammed home.
While Crosby was purring at their emphatic win, Crawley boss John Yems was left fuming. “I feel really sorry for the fans that came up here,” he blasted. “Elementary mistakes have cost us goals. I feel sorry for Tom Nichols, Kwesi (Appiah), Jake (Hessenthaler) and Tony Craig who’s fractured his collarbone. I feel really sorry for the lads that were trying but, most importantly, I feel sorry for the fans.”