Walters pleased to be able to showcase his Vale class

RHYS Walters got a rare start for Port Vale as he helped Port Vale ease to victory over Maldon & Tiptree in the FA Cup first round.

- Clive Youlton

ON THE BALL: Port Vale midfielder Rhys Walters looks to get the Valiants moving in the FA Cup victory on Sunday. Inset: Maldon & Tiptree manager Kevin Horlock has praised his players for their performance in the contest at Vale Park.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been largely ignored in recent weeks other than a surprise appearance against Premier League giants Arsenal in the Carabao Cup.

He got his chance on Sunday and played well, as expected, against a team from the eighth tier of the pyramid.

“Obviously we knew the job was getting in the second round,” said Walters.

“We know the quality that we've got in the group, we knew that if we all stayed concentrated, and what not, we would come through”

Walters’ display, albeit against lesser opposition, flew in the face of manager Darren Moore’s assertion that match fitness is important.