Vale: Match stats
PORT VALE 5
(R Taylor 19, Richards 43, 51, 79, Davies 85)
GOAL ATTEMPTS
Chesterfield 10 (1 on target)
Vale 11 (6 on target)
THE REFEREE
Paul Tierney (Lancashire) 8
CARD WATCH
YELLOW: Chesterfield – Whing (foul, 43), Niven (foul, 45+1). Vale: Davies (foul, 22). RED: Chesterfield – Goodall (professional foul, 85). Vale: None.
THE CROWD
Attendance 4,138
MATCH RATING
Entertainment 7
ANYON: Dismissed the painful memory of breaking his leg at Saltergate last season by producing a faultless display 8
COLLINS: Provides a physical and dynamic presence on the flank while his excellent second-half cross set up Marc Richards's third goal 8
OWEN: Crushed the threat posed by strikers Wade Small and Drew Talbot with a string of fine tackles 8
McCOMBE: Another fearless contribution, throwing his body in the line of fire on numerous occasions 9
K TAYLOR: Took a giant step to recapturing his best form with an accomplished showing at both ends of the pitch 8
HALDANE: Proved he is a bigger threat when he stays on his feet and deserved more reward for a tireless attacking display 8
GRIFFITH: The midfield snarler was simply awesome in the centre 9
FRASER: Skipper produced a good all-round display 8
R TAYLOR: Proved his deadly instincts with another clinical finish and made a real effort to work hard off the ball 9
RICHARDS: A perfect 10 in recognition of a masterful hat-trick. The striker can be proud of his efforts in the wake of his Roy of the Rovers display 10
DAVIES: His physical attributes posed a threat all afternoon 8
SUBSTITUTES
DODDS (for Richards, 82): Had an impossible task filling the boots of Richards, but produced a hard-working cameo 6
RIGG (for R Taylor, 86): Had little time to make an impact 6
LOFT (for Haldane, 86): Helped Vale over the finishing line with an energetic run-out 6
Not used: Martin, Yates, Richman, Morsy.
CHESTERFIELD: Lee, Whing, Page, Breckin, Goodall, Whaley, Allott, Niven (Boshall, 46), Rundle (Boden, 58), Small (Madine, 65), Talbot.
Not used: Crossley, Austin, Gray, Conlon.
