Walsall 2-3 Port Vale - player ratings: One 5 in devastating defeat
George Bennett gives his Walsall player ratings from their 3-2 defeat against local rivals Port Vale at Bescot.
Sam Hornby - 6
Helpless - Very little he could do about all three Vale goals and he prevented them from adding another with a strong save to deny Ben Garrity from distance.
Oisin McEntee - 6
Controversial - Hooked a lovely cross to the back post for Levi Amantchi to score but conceded a penalty for Vale's third albeit with the Irishman looking to have got a fair chunk of the ball.
David Okagbue - 6
Rash - Invariably headed his clearances into danger areas and was spun a number of times by the Vale attack.
Evan Weir - 6
Hooked - Launched a long throw into the box in the build-up to Walsall's second but was replaced at the break.
Ryan Stirk - 6
Lively - Had a lively first half and played an excellent sweeping pass to create a chance for Taylor Allen but was unable to dictate the midfield battle after the break.
Nathan Asiimwe - 6
Quiet - Had a fairly quiet first half from right wing-back and was hooked at half-time as Sadler looked to shake things up.
Jamie Jellis - 5
Struggled - Frequently misplaced his places and struggled to provide his usual quality to the contest from midfield.
Taylor Allen - 7
Double figures - Started in midfield and dropped into defence as part of a tactical switch-up after the break. Did relatively well in midfield and moved into double figures from the spot.
Liam Gordon - 6
Mixed - Flew out of the traps by embarking on a mesmerising run to set-up Jamille Matt's disallowed goal. However, he lost Lorant Tolaj at the back post for Vale's opener and gave the ball away before Oisin McEntee conceded a penalty for their third.
Jamille Matt - 6
Varied - Served as a focal point up top in the opening half-hour and had a goal ruled for a foul inside the first 15 seconds but was less effective in the second half.
Levi Amantchi - 7
Faded - Made an electric start with a series of slaloming runs and propelled Walsall into the lead with a lovely touch and finish inside the box. Faded somewhat after the break as Walsall struggled to threaten in attack.
Substitutes
George Hall (for Weir, 46) - 6
Was introduced at half-time and fired wide of the target from an acute angle.
Connor Barrett (for Asiimwe, 46) - 6
Made a couple of rampaging runs down the right but was unable to create anything of note.
Albert Adomah (for Jellis, 74)
Ethan Wheatley (for Matt, 74)
Danny Johnson (for Amantchi, 85)
Unused: Simkin, Daniels.
Comment Guidelines
Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.