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03 Nov 2025
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03 Nov 2025
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Port Vale manager Darren Moore insists he “didn’t flinch at all” despite his team having to come from behind against eighth-tier Maldon and Tiptree to book their place in the second round of the FA Cup.
The visitors, who were the lowest-ranked team to reach the first round, took a shock lead in the sixth minute through Anisius Lewis and held it until the quarter-hour mark when Ruari Paton scored the first of his two goals for Vale.
George Hall swiftly put the hosts ahead before Paton found the net again to make it 3-1 with 18 minutes gone. Devante Cole bagged a brace with goals either side of half-time to complete the scoring.
Even though his side unexpectedly went a goal down, Moore was always confident they would come through the tie.
“To be fair, it worked for us really because when they scored after six minutes I didn’t flinch at all, the reason being was it was (only) six minutes into the game,” he said.
“If ever they were going to score, you want them to score after six minutes because then it gives us the kick up the backside.
“We’ve still got probably 90 per cent of the game to play and you know you’re going to get chances, just because of the level that we’re at.
“It turned out to be exactly that and as you can see with the response, it was swift.”
Maldon and Tiptree boss Kevin Horlock, the former Manchester City midfielder, said he “couldn’t be prouder” of his team’s performance.
“We started like a house on fire,” he added.
“We had them on the ropes for five minutes. We probably scored 85 minutes too soon, but what a magical moment.
“Obviously, it gave us hope and you start believing and dreaming.
“But fair play to Port Vale – they’re obviously a League One outfit for a reason. They’ve got real quality.
“I think the most disappointing thing is that we couldn’t weather out 15 minutes before we conceded.
“It was in quick succession (Port Vale’s four first-half goals) and put us straight back on the back foot and put us in our place.”
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