Port Vale take consolations from Wrexham defeat

Analysis of Port Vale's 2-1 EFL Trophy defeat at Wrexham with talking points, player ratings and reaction

Josh Thomas celebrates his goal for Port Vale at Wrexham. Picture by Tom Green

Defeat, but certainly no disgrace for Port Vale as their young side were beaten 2-1 by Wrexham in the EFL Trophy game at the Racecourse Ground.

Both teams knew they had already qualified from the group before kick off, and Vale’s ten changes were topped by Wrexham who made 11. But the sense that this game didn’t really matter quickly faded in a competitive contest in front of 7,870 as a Vale side featuring youth teamers Rhys Walters, Ben Lomax and Andrew Buah went in front on 31 minutes when Josh Thomas converted Gavin Massey’s low cross.

Vale were well worth their lead after having the better of the first half, but Wrexham came out strongly in the second and went up a couple of gears when experienced trio James McClean, James Jones and Paul Mullin came off the bench on 61 minutes.

McClean crossed for Mullin to level on 70 minutes with his 82nd goal in 104 Wrexham games, before Republic of Ireland international McClean headed home the winner from a corner on 83 minutes.

The result means Wrexham top the group and are guaranteed a home tie in the next round. But Vale will take consolation from the performance of their young players in front of travelling support of 673.   

Please read on for our Wednesday November 8 edition of The Valiant in full.