Fightback too late as Barnsley continue Vale's woeful home run

In-depth look at Port Vale following the 3-2 loss to Barnsley

Connor Ripley can’t keep out John McAtee’s 35-yard strike to put Barnsley 3-0 up in front of the Hamil. Picture by Tom Green

Port Vale’s awful home run continued as they paid the price for an embarrassing first half in a 3-2 defeat to Barnsley.

The game was all but done by half time after the Tykes seized control with Adam Phillips’ 17th-minute opener and goals from John McAtee on 32 and 37 minutes.

At that stage, a hammering to match Barnsley’s 7-0 win at Oakwell on the opening day looked a possibility but Vale were much better after the break and deservedly pulled goals back through Ethan Chislett, on 73 minutes, and substitute Jack Shorrock in the third minute of stoppage time.

It wasn’t quite enough to prevent a sixth defeat out of the last seven home league games. But having been booed off at half time, Vale’s radically-improved second-half efforts were recognised by the supporters who stayed behind.

The result keeps Barnsley in seventh, two points outside the play-off places, while Vale drop a place to 16th, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Please read on for The Valiant in full for Wednesday December 27.