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Dequan Crockwell was an unused substitute as Port Vale’s Reserve team continued their 100% winning league run at Bradford City’s Apperley Bridge training ground with two goals in the final 12 minutes after what had been a relatively thrill free encounter.
Vale’s team had a makeshift defense with only Kelly being a defender by trade and even he played out of position but was well stocked with strikers and attacking midfielders.
It was Forrester who first to threaten at either end as he turned quickly and drove just wide of the post after 13 minutes. Lainton was then down well to hold a long range effort at the other end.
Calveley, adapting well to playing as a centre-back, did well to cut out a dangerous cross and Benns out wide on the left put in a cross towards an incoming Turner but the ‘keeper plucked it from the air before it reached him.
Middleton shot over from distance before Forrester swept the ball goalwards only to see the ‘keeper push it away at full stretch at the near post.
Lainton who was marshalling his defence well was out quickly to save at an attacker’s feet and just before the break Forrester saw a close range effort deflected over at the expense of a corner.
For the start of the second half Vale took Turner off who was replaced by Chris Regis.
The home team had a chance as an uncontested header lacked the power to trouble Lainton and then an even clearer chance went begging with a shot going wide.
Bradford made two substitutions and within a couple of minutes Grodowski drove past the far post when well positioned.
Benns, now on the right wing played a one-two with Forrester but his powerful shot nestled in the ‘keepers midriff.
With 13 minutes left and the game looking likely to end goalless Forrester cut in from the right and was eventually brought down in the penalty area, however the referee then awarded an earlier foul two yards outside the area.
After finally sorting it all out, Port Vale's trialist delivered a vicious, dipping free-kick into the 6 yard box where all the ‘keeper could do was punch the ball into Forrester’s path, who slotted into the back of the net.
Within two minutes Vale had doubled their lead as the trialist found himself free on the left hand side of the box and as the ‘keeper came out to dive at his feet he lifted it over him and just inside the near post.
Vale almost added a third as Kelly knocked down a corner and Dior touched it goalwards but it hit the post and was scrambled away.
The final few minutes saw Bradford trying to get back into the game and Lainton came out well to dive at an attackers feet to tip the ball off his toe and then saved well from Milambo to complete a good all-round performance in goal.
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