It's a new calendar year, but Vale still struggle to find scoring boots

A NEW year, but the same goal problems remained for Port Vale. CLIVE YOULTON continues his review of the Valiants’ season...

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It was on to a new calendar year and a new start for Port Vale.

New Year's Day 2025 promised to be the game where they would finally win again after seven matches without one.

A home clash with Cheltenham Town was surely the time when the smiles would return.

Well, they didn’t lose and had to settle for yet another draw which at least broke the unwanted sequence of back-to-back defeats.

But the fact was, the Valiants remained impotent and, like a person without a computer, finding the net had become an issue.

There was little post-festive cheer for Vale’s supporters but at least it was an improvement on the 3-0 defeat to Grimsby Town.

Manager Darren Moore made a jaw-dropping seven alterations to the starting line-up.

There were shocks aplenty this time as goalkeeper Connor Ripley was dropped for the first time in 70 league games as Ben Amos finally got his chance.

In midfield there was a welcome return for Ben Garrity after injury for the first time since the 3-2 win against AFC Wimbledon on October 26 - incidentally the last occasion Vale won a League Two match at Vale Park.

There was a recall too for Nathan Smith in defence, who was named man of the match, while Brandon Cover, Kyle John, Ronan Curtis and Lorent Tolaj were also brought in.

Jesse Debrah, Jack Shorrock, Mitch Clark, Ethan Chislett and Ruari Paton were jettisoned from the team.