REPORT | PORT VALE 1 ARGYLE 3
Port Vale 1
Plant 3
Argyle 3
Randell 34
Edwards 38
Azaz 61
101 points, 82 goals, 31 victories and one gleaming trophy.
Argyle secured a magnificent Sky Bet League One title with a powerful 3-1 victory at Port Vale, thanks to goals from Adam Randell, Joe Edwards and substitute Finn Azaz.
The Pilgrims knew the equation before kick-off, at least match the result achieved by Ipswich at Fleetwood and the title would be heading back to Home Park. Argyle removed any doubt with an outstanding display, despite conceding an early goal to youngster James Plant.
Randell drew the Greens level with a fabulous strike on 34 minutes and captain Edwards made it 2-1 with a back-post finish before half-time. Azaz confirmed the win with the final goal of a brilliant campaign, guiding a delicious finish into the top corner.
Argyle boss Steven Schumacher made one change from the fabulous promotion-clinching win over Burton Albion at Home Park last weekend, Jordan Houghton replacing Matt Butcher in midfield.
Despite the fantastic part atmosphere created by just under 4,000 travelling Argyle fans, Port Vale dampened the excitement with an opening goal inside three minutes, Plant racing through a gap in the defence before a calm finish beyond Callum Burton.
Gradually, the Pilgrims settled down to their task and put together a delightful team move, cutting through the home side with incredible precision but the final pass to Bali Mumba found the Sky Bet League One Young Player of the Season a fraction offside.
Mumba judged his run perfectly a minute later, steering a downward header inches wide of the post after a super cross from the left by Callum Wright. Mumba continued to be at the centre of the action, firing over another dangerous cross that just eluded the lurking Niall Ennis
Argyle were knocking on the door and it flung open for Randell on 34 minutes, fizzing a powerful finish beyond goalkeeper Aiden Stone for the equaliser after a cross from Ennis had only been partially cleared by the Vale defence.
The magnificent, and swift, turnaround was on course just four minutes after the leveller. Mumba drove at the Vale defence and threaded a pass to Wright, who steered a lovely low cross perfectly into the path of Edwards for an emphatic finish at the back post.
David Worrall attempted an immediate riposte, latching on to a raking cross-field pass for a powerful strike aimed at the near post, but Burton safely gobbled up the ball, as Vale Park became increasingly drowned in the wonderful songs of celebration from the Green Army.
Half-time and a job half done.
Argyle opened the final 45 minutes of an enthralling season with Azaz replacing Danny Mayor and the Greens were first to have a shot on target, as a quick exchange between Mumba, Azaz and Ennis saw the ball roll out to Edwards for a 25-yarder that was comfortable for Stone.
News of a goal for Ipswich Town meant Argyle had to hold their lead to secure the title but Edwards almost extended it, stabbing narrowly over after a tremendous twisting run and cross from Azaz.
Burton palmed clear a sweeping free-kick cross from Tom Conlon before Dan Butterworth skewed a shot miles over from the subsequent corner. Quite a few miles up the road and left a bit, Ipswich were pegged back by Fleetwood.
Ryan Hardie replaced Ennis on the hour and Argyle virtually had both hands on the trophy, when Azaz picked up the ball on the edge of the box, shifted it on to his right and guided a beautiful finish into the top corner.
Typically stout defending from the trio of James Wilson, Dan Scarr and Macaulay Gillesphey ensured Burton’s goal remained well protected, despite a decent spell of possession for the hosts. Jay Matete coming on for Wright added some extra insurance in the midfield shield.
Just to warm Green hearts even further, Fleetwood took the lead at home to Ipswich with 20 minutes remaining. It was almost time to celebrate.
Ipswich levelled on the Lancashire coast but none of that mattered in the Vale Park sunshine, where Conor Grant was introduced for Mumba, who deservedly took the applause for one of the greatest loan spells in Argyle history.
The Pilgrims played out the final minutes with superb composure amid the deafening noise of a jubilant Green Army.
We are the Champions.
Port Vale: 1 Aiden Stone; 5 Aaron Donnelly (2 Lewis Cass 63), 6 Nathan Smith, 7 David Worrall, 9 James Wilson (20 Matty Taylor 63), 10 Tom Conlon, 11 Mal Benning, 14 Funso Ojo, 19 Gavin Massey (13 Jamie Proctor 77), 26 Dan Butterworth (23 Tom Pett 56), 29 James Plant (31 Jack Shorrock 77). Substitutes (not used): 25 Jack Stevens (gk).
Booked:
Argyle: 25 Callum Burton; 3 Macaulay Gillesphey, 4 Jordan Houghton, 5 James Wilson, 6 Dan Scarr, 8 Joe Edwards (capt), 10 Danny Mayor (18 Finn Azaz H-T), 11 Niall Ennis (9 Ryan Hardie 60), 17 Bali Mumba (15 Conor Grant 83), 20 Adam Randell, 26 Callum Wright (28 Jay Matete 71). Substitutes (not used): 32 Adam Parkes (gk), 16 Sam Cosgrove, 21 Nigel Lonwijk.
Booked: Azaz 80
Attendance: 11,998 (3,926 away)
Referee: Simon Mather