There was definitely a lack of tempo to the game, but no lack of effort from the Imps on a big pitch that may have caused trouble earlier in the season. Still there was little trouble this afternoon, as the Im ps confidently made it 2-0 and killed the game off before the second period even got interesting.
When City doubled their advantage early in the second half, it came from a direct, effective move that caught Port Vale cold. A long ball forward from Deji Elerewe was flicked on by Rob Street into the path of Jack Moylan, whose effort came back off the post, but Street reacted quickest to smash the rebound into the net on 49 minutes. At 2-0, it felt like the game was all but done.
Vale struggled to respond, and Martin Sherif found Elerewe in uncompromising form, twice attempting to get around the defender only to be held off as City calmly saw out the danger and forced goal kicks. The control continued, with City creating again on 55 minutes as Reeco Hackett’s corner was nodded back across goal by Sonny Bradley, allowing Moylan a sight of goal, but his effort was blocked and looped up safely into Joe Gauci’s hands.
Changes came on 57 minutes for the visitors, with Grant Ward replacing George Byers and Liam Gordon making way for Conor Hall, but it did little to shift the pattern of the game. City followed with a triple change on 65 minutes, Dom Jefferies replacing Tendayi Darikwa, while debutant Conteh came on for Conor McGrandles, and Ryan Oné replaced Ben House.
The tempo dipped again, though City still carried a threat. On 69 minutes, a cross from the left found Oné, whose effort was blocked, before Vale broke quickly three on three, only for City to recover in numbers and snuff out the danger. It summed up the application, even with the result seemingly secure. Little over 20 minutes to go, 2-0 up, 103 points wrapped up, and every player tracked back hard to stop a chance. Relentless.
Vale’s rare chances were speculative. Byers tried his luck from distance on 71 minutes but sliced his effort harmlessly wide, while Conteh was booked shortly after for a late challenge on Jordan Gabriel, which, on reflection, felt harsh. More changes followed, with Ring and Lloyd introduced as Moylan and Street were withdrawn.
On 78 minutes, Vale had a better opening as Hall set up Gordon, but Elerewe was there again to block, continuing an assured display at the back. City responded with Hackett firing high and wide, before the visitors missed their best chance to get back into the game on 86 minutes. A deep ball from Byers found Sherif falling backwards around five yards out, but he could only scoop his effort over the bar.
There was still time for Garrity to drive forward and shoot well wide, before City should have added a third late on. A sharp break saw Hackett play in Ring with just the keeper to beat, but he sliced his effort wide on 89 minutes.
Vale wanted to give their fans something to cheer, and they almost did late on. Deep into stoppage time, a shot from Gabriel deflected off his own player and against the post. Wickens was stranded and could only watch on as the rebound was scrambled home. Seemingly, the golden glove slipped from his grasp, but a handball was given as Sherif and Gabriel sought to force the ball over the line.
That was the final chance of the game, and Andrew Humphries brought our League One season to a close on the stroke of 95 minutes. Champions, centurions and record breakers. Who would have imagined that nine months ago?
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