Stockport County 1 Port Vale 2 ( Football League 1 ) Tuesday 28 April 2026

 

 

 

 

 

County`s promotion push hit the buffers last night at Edgeley Park where they were beaten 2-1 by a well-motivated Port Vale side.

Relegated Vale thoroughly deserved their victory -delighting their travelling support with a spirited performance that County just could not match.

Two first half goals from Jordan Gabriel and Martin Sherif proved more than enough to dispose of County       s tepid challenge on a disappointing night for County supporters who must now travel to Oakwell , on Saturday, knowing that their team still needs a point to secure a play-off place-on last night`s showing …..quite an ask !

…………………………..

 

Back to 7.45, and the only aggravation was us being `turned around` to attack the Cheadle End first by Vale.

I fancied the well-worn ploy would rebound on Jon Brady`s side but we would see…and fast!

The opening moments threw us something to hang our hats on ,as Adama Sidibeh went shoulder to shoulder , at top lick down the left, with the gangling  Tyler Magloire -what a contest ….and so early on and all ,as I say, at top speed.

First Magloire held sway…then Adama but the high pace of it all eventually told on the County striker- Magloire getting the rub of the green to whack the ball clear.

That gave me entirely the wrong idea as to how things would now shape up as County quickly imploded before our eyes.

County were attacking, 4 minutes in, but not with any great intensity , their passing lax at times and this shone through next as Ben Waine took full advantage surging clear down the left before sliding an inch perfect ball inside to where Martin Sherif scored from close in.

That was a considerable jolt to County`s confidence- but we would sort…wouldn`t we?

Well, we looked like we were trying- but so were Vale and Joe Gauci their keeper showed outstanding confidence to dispose of the threat as Mothersille looked to latch onto a ball from Diamond.

But Diamond was in the mix much as usual – very confident on the ball but inclined to dwell far too long on it and the next action encapsulated that aspect perfectly as he surged through to the edge of the box. Now this looked very promising with Sidibeh nicely in space in a notionally better position than Diamond to score, awaiting a pass which never arrived – County`s number 7 dragging a poor effort wide of goal!

We were 18 minutes in now, and County were trying to unsettle their opponents, but with not much success- a chance coming Stokes` way but spurned as he fluffed a free header.

Gradually the pressure switched ends with County under the cosh-Vale danger man Rhys Walters fouled by Bailey after Woots was caught on the hop.

The free kick was poor from Vale, but the danger lingered -flames fanned by a series of lapses on the ball by County, the last of these ( for now) being by Mothersille who drifted inside to gift possession to the visitors who took full advantage via Jordan Gabriel  who cut inside from the left flank to beat Addai with a fine finish.

County were 2-0 down and, in the mire, or was I panicking unnecessarily?

                                             We would see!      

I looked for something coming back from County and saw Sidibeh  still making himself available for service that I guess he is still waiting for this morning- that said he was twice close to getting on the end of something- namely crosses by Mothersille and Osborn .

Diamond also looked to offer County options, but onto a long ball he sent his shot wide of the target with under 15 minutes of the half left.

Back came Vale- close with a free kick 7 minutes later- Garritty`s kick missing out narrowly…..

Pressure from Vale continued as they constantly outplayed County with their energy and desire to do stuff, typified by the work of Walters ( their top man in my view) and Sherif who ran at County`s indecisive back line with great gusto causing major turmoil and a chance for Garritty who was denied by a fine bit of keeping by Corey Addai for the blues.

County kept trying for sure, but without ever really looking likely to sort matters, despite Sidibeh`s continued enthusiasm for the task and cause.

It was still 0-2 at half time- a considerable disappointment!

………………………..

The re-start saw Barry, Edun and Grogan on for Mothersille, Stokes and Gardner , so County had a notional back 3 of Edun, Pye, Grogan and Woots was now occupied further up the park!

The changes made little immediate impression as far as I could see – Vale pushing on and twice fancying a penalty as Walters ( 46 minutes) and Gabriel (52 minutes) `fell to earth in the box under pressure. I dismissed the first of these but have seen those similar to the second one given and the underwhelming Alex Chilowicz gave neither so County distress was not increased.

But Vale kept their pressure on, looking to hit us hard on the break , but having done the difficult bit , Archer  then failed to test Addai with an underpowered effort 2 minutes later,  Walters similarly disappointing the travelling Vale support , on the hour, by lifting another chance high over the bar.

Not long after, we saw Andresson and Bate on in place of Sidibeh and Diamond- and for a time the County pressure seemed to intensify – Andresson looking to profit positioning himself in front of goal expectantly- blocked though early doors – a period of attacking ending with Bate leaning back and clearing the Railway End `bake off tent` with his shot.

There was more from the young Icelandic international, which was encouraging, but we needed some luck to go with it but instead he was blocked brilliantly by Magloire  , and so unlucky with a header from a Bailey cross.

That was so disappointing, but it could have got worse as again County`s cover melted away as Gabriel sped clear down our left flank. He had Hernandez handily placed to his immediate right and County looked toast – Addai just saving the day for County clutching onto an inadvertent `back pass` by Osborn!

On it went with County struggling to contain Vale- Archer again clear – beating the 3 men County put on him before cutting inside to then disappoint the away following by failing to test Addai with a poor finish!

That would have finished us off for sure……but…..then….from nowhere ….salvation?????

Well…a goal and a welcome one at that as County pressure ended with Odin Bailey leathering a fierce drive into the net- a terrific finish and the County faithful took the hint and upped the noise accordingly!

County kept trying for that equaliser after the last action, but the back door was always slightly ajar and Garritty was first to look to punish us but twice we escaped by the narrowest of margins…

On 89 minutes Garritty was played clear- a definite chance but he hesitated and got monstered by Addai as a result!

Then, deep in added time Garritty sped clear again- Hernandez was again with him to his right and looked a good call to have a shot at goal, but Garritty had read the coaching manuals ( a bad idea) and instead of passing ..drifted to the corner flag to waste some time- duly then losing possession ( with time enough left for County to punish Vale).

County tried- Barry on the end of a 1…2 in the box but not able to get a shot in.

Soon enough the Referee blew for time and Vale had won deservedly!

On to Oakwell then, to get behind the team, which we will !

See you there!

Stockport County line up :-

 Addai,  Gardner (Grogan 46), Wootton, Pye, Osborn, Bailey, Norwood , Diamond (Bate 65), Stokes (Edun 46), Mothersille (Barry 46), Sidibeh (Andrésson 65).

Unused Subs: Hinchliffe, Olaofe.

 

Port Vale line up :-

Gauci , Gabriel , Garritty , Walters ( Byers 88), Gordon , Waine (Hernandez 45), Sherif ( Croasdale 88), Humphries , Ward ( Heneghan 76 ) , Hall ( Archer 45) , Magloire.

Unused Subs : Amos , Shorrock.

Attendance: 8,884 (601).

hedgegrower