Port Vale outclassed by Middlesbrough in front of biggest crowd for a decade

News, analysis, reaction and opinion from Port Vale’s 3-0 defeat at home to Middlesbrough in the quarter final of the Carabao Cup.

Jonny Howson’s shot is deflected past Connor Ripley for Middlesbrough’s first goal in Vale’s 3-0 defeat. Picture by Tom Green

Port Vale’s first-ever appearance in the quarter finals of the League Cup proved to be an anti-climax as they were comfortably beaten 3-0 at home to Championship side Middlesbrough.

The visitors never looked back after Jonny Howson’s long-range strike took a deflection off Jason Lowe to loop over Connor Ripley on 11 minutes. Morgan Rogers added the second, on 23 minutes, after Kofi Balmer was caught in possession and, although Gavin Massey missed a great chance to pull a goal back before the break, any hopes of a comeback were extinguished eight minutes into the second half when Matt Crooks fired home from just inside the area.

We’ve got analysis, opinion and reaction to the game so please read on for the Wednesday December 20 edition of The Valiant in full.