Port Vale: Valiants tamed by Shrews

by Michael Baggaley

PORT Vale are eyeing a revenge mission over Shrewsbury after crashing out of the FA Youth Cup in the first round at the ProStar Stadium.

The Valiants lost 2-1 at the Shrews, ending their interest in the showpiece competition for youth teams.

But they at least have a chance to make some amends on December 2 when they entertain Shrewsbury in the second round of the Midland Youth Cup (7pm).

Vale youth coach Mick Ede said his team was bitterly disappointed to go out of the FA Youth Cup at the first stage.

He said: "The lads were punished for mistakes and have learned the hard way. But they will be better for the experience.

"At least the next round of the Midland Youth Cup gives us another bite of the cherry. But the FA Youth Cup is the main competition for them."

The Valiants dominated the first half on Monday and took the lead through Anthony Malbon's spectacular 25-yard strike on 32 minutes.

But poor defending cost them dearly when Shrewsbury levelled on 67 minutes, before snatching an unlikely victory five minutes from time.

Ede could at least take some consolation in the impressive performances of right-back Charlie Raglan and central midfielder Sam Morsy.

He also fielded three of the club's highly-rated under-16s players.

Midfielders Ryan Lloyd and Dominic Plant impressed, as did centre-half Joe Davis, the son of Crewe assistant manager Steve Davis.

Port Vale: Watson, Raglan, Bell, Morsy, Bratt, Davis, Siribour, Plant (Hague, 72), Malbon, Cox (McGowan, 67), Lloyd. Unused subs: Johnson, Rice, Christensen.