Port Vale turned up wanting to draw Sheffield Wednesday into a battle at Hillsborough on Thursday evening. And they were met with a solid and controlled performance.
The Owls scored twice through Michael Smith to win out 2-0, a scoreline that reflected a performance that extended their unbeaten league run to 12 matches.
Only a ‘goal scored’ prevents them from ending 2022 in the automatic places as they outfought their visitors and sent them packing.
Here are our player ratings for Wednesday after they signed off on 2022 with a Hillsborough win.
Here are our player ratings for Wednesday after they signed off on 2022 with a Hillsborough win.
5. Reece James - 8
Has real quality on the ball and showed it from the off. Coped with what Vale had to throw at him down that left channel. Made a vital, full-throttle challenge to stop a decent Vale attack on the hour. Photo: UGC/Steve Ellis
Looked determined to run at his opposite man from the outset and did so, though he ran into a couple of dead ends to lose the ball. A darting run and stand-up cross for Smith was one of the best bits of attacking play we've seen from him. More consistency needed across the outing. Photo: UGC / Steve Ellis
Broke things up nicely and seemed to step himself up a touch in the absence of Bannan. Good in the air and battling on the deck and showed no little quality on the ball, sliding passes forward positively. Maybe looked just a touch leggy in the latter stages. Generally good at footy. Photo: UGC/Steve Ellis
Made a darting run that drew the yellow card foul of Garrity. Toyed with Hall a couple of minutes later. Drifted in and out a wee bit. Photo: UGC/Steve Ellis