Port Vale manager Darren Moore was more than pleased with his team’s start to their League Two campaign.
The Valiants began life back in the fourth tier with a 2-0 victory at Salford.
Captain Ben Garrity scored in each half, with both goals coming from Ronan Curtis corners, to leave Moore thrilled with what he saw.
“We spoke a lot in pre-season about getting a footing and I thought every single one of the players did that,” Moore said.
“It was very important to get control early in the game and we did not really allow Salford much. We suffocated them and forced errors and maintained that throughout the game.
“With the group of players that we have added this season, they have allowed us to make changes both to personnel and in the way we play so we can assess our opponents, where they are strong and where they are weak. We got the selection spot on today.
“For us to come here and score two goals from set-pieces is very important. I am pleased as a manager and pleased for Ben Garrity that he got both them. It was a perfect day for him and a perfect day for us.
“I am pleased as well for the fans, the away support. Credit to them because they really helped spur the players on.”
Salford assistant Alex Bruce was positive about the hosts’ performance despite the result and is confident there are better days to come.
Bruce, who did Salford’s post-match press conference as manager Karl Robinson served a touchline ban, said: “I thought overall there was not much between the two teams, if I am brutally honest.
“The only difference was set-pieces. Outside of that Jamie Jones barely had a save to make.
“From our point of view, we cannot give away goals so easily at set-pieces.
“One positive from today is that we had five or six guys playing from the under-21s, people like Tosin (Olopade) and Liam Humbles who really stepped up.
“We know we can get better, but it is still early days and everyone at the club is working tirelessly behind the scenes.
“Creating chances is something we have to look at as well but it was a very close affair and neither team created many chances today.
“Of course we would have liked to get a win in the first game of the season today, it is disappointing but you have got to keep your head held high and keep working hard and I am sure the results will come.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
