Wheels fall off for Valiants as they suffer thrashing by Barrow boys

IT proved to be a trip to forget for the Valiants when they make another visit to Barrow. CLIVE YOULTON continues his review of Port Vale’s season...

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OUCH! Along came August 24 and a second trip to Cumbria for Port Vale to face Barrow.

With a squad oozing with riches, nobody would have imagined Darren Moore’s team would be walloped 4-0.

This was a chastening experience for everybody at the club and Vale suffered a capitulation in the final 20 minutes as they hurtled down the table from sixth to 14th.

Ben Garrity’s miss early in the second half, with his side 1-0 down, proved pivotal.

Keeper Connor Ripley launched the ball into the Barrow penalty area on the wind where Garrity controlled but, with the goal at his mercy, screwed the ball wide.

From then on, after a clutch of substitutions with half-an-hour remaining, Vale fell apart in alarming fashion and were brutally exposed by an efficient home side.

George Byers was back, on the bench at least, as were Jayden Stockley and Benicio Baker-Boaitey.

There was no sign of Lorent Tolaj or Diamond Edwards, nor was there Funso Ojo, sparking suggestions he may be on his way from Vale Park, while Nathan Smith had a rare foray in the league squad but stayed on the bench.