Port Vale manager Darren Moore praised the “mentality change” from the club’s supporters as his side held on to beat AFC Wimbledon 3-2 and extend their lead at the top of the League Two table.
Brandon Cover and Rico Richards put the Valiants 2-0 ahead early on and the three points were sealed by Jayden Stockley’s goal just after the hour mark, in between efforts from the Dons’ Josh Neufville and Myles Hippolyte.
The visitors pushed hard for an equaliser late on, with Hippolyte hitting the crossbar after James Ball’s shot was saved superbly by Connor Ripley, but Vale did enough to make it five consecutive league wins and 11 matches unbeaten in all competitions.
Victory moved them on to 30 points – four clear of nearest challengers Walsall – and Moore was thankful for the fans’ backing in helping the team see the game out.
“We’re delighted to get the three points,” he said.
“We knew that it was going to be a tough game, a game that we felt we made a little bit more nervy towards the end than it needed to be, but again, credit to the players, credit to the supporters.
“A special recognition for the supporters because in the last five minutes, where last season we would have felt a little bit of nervousness and tension around the place, they were in rapturous voice, clapping the boys and
cheering them on.
“So there was a real mentality change and I want to thank the supporters for that because their vocal support has driven the team over the line to give us three more valuable points.”
Earlier this week the club unveiled a statue of former Vale manager John Rudge to mark his 80th birthday.
Rudge, who was in charge of the club from 1983 to 1999, was welcomed on to the pitch to huge applause before kick-off.
“We played the history of that in terms of what Rudgey’s brought to this football club before the game,” Moore added.
“So I can probably understand the apprehension from the boys a little bit because they wanted to get the job done.”
Despite winning all five of their home league matches so far this season, Wimbledon have now lost four of their six on the road and have dropped to 12th place.
Boss Johnnie Jackson was left to rue his side’s slow start to the game.
“I suppose for the neutral it was a great game,” he said.
“We’ve done everything but score at the end there to get something out of a game against a top team.
“I think we deserved something in the end. We gave ourselves a lot to do obviously with the start that we made to the game, but the response and the reaction from the players to come back the way that they did (was excellent).
“They easily could have gone under and folded and you can get beaten four, five or six here if you fold.
“But we came back into it, showed unbelievable character and I’m not quite sure how we haven’t got one at the end there.
“We’re frustrated because we conceded three goals and, to start the game the way that we did, it makes it so hard.
“And the goals, from our point of view, were really poor and it’s not been like us.”
[(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...
