Vale hold on to make history

A look at League Two leaders Port Vale after the 3-2 win at home to AFC Wimbledon

Vale players and fans celebrate Brandon Cover’s opener against AFC Wimbledon. Pic by Tom Green

Hello and welcome to our Sunday edition of The Valiant for October 27.

Phew! The Vale clinched their fifth successive win but were made to work for it in a thriller at home to AFC Wimbledon.

The 3-2 win makes it 11 games unbeaten in all competitions for Darren Moore’s side and puts them four points clear at the top after second-placed Walsall could only draw at Accrington.   

The latest victory seemed as though it might be a procession when Brandon Cover met Jayden Stockley’s pass with a calm finish inside the far post on nine minutes and then Rico Richards netted from the rebound after Ethan Chislett’s 11^th-minute free kick hit the post.

But the visitors played their way back into the game and were given hope on 61 minutes when Josh Neufville was played behind the defence before slotting the ball home. Rico Richards crossed for Jayden Stockley to head home Vale’s third within a minute but the game was in the balance when Myles Hippolyte squeezed home a free kick at the near post on 78.

Connor Ripley saved brilliantly from James Ball in stoppage time before Hippolyte hit the bar from the rebound as Vale held on.       

We’ve got news, analysis, opinion and nostalgia in this morning’s edition as we look at all things Vale. If you are interested in subscribing, we offer at least 150 editions a year from the day you sign up.

If you are already a subscriber then thanks for your support and please read on…