David could make Amoo-ve into a higher division – Vale boss Askey

Posted Wednesday, January 29, 2020 by PA

John Askey pinpointed the impact of winger David Amoo as Port Vale came from behind to beat Exeter 3-1.

Nicky Ajose gave the Grecians the advantage but Ritchie Bennett’s penalty fired the Valiants level after the break, before Leon Legge put Vale ahead and Bennett headed home his second.

After Amoo won the penalty which put the Valiants on the road to three points, Askey believes he has a match-winner in his squad whose performances might attract attention from elsewhere.

He said: “David Amoo came alive along with quite a few others, but we’ve learnt hopefully from the Swindon game and this game that you can’t always play in your own half of the pitch. Sometimes you’ve just got to hit the space and runners going in behind.

“David’s a match-winner, he’s got so much ability but there’s obviously something lacking in his make-up or he wouldn’t be with us.

“But I think he’s just finding his feet now again and if he can keep doing that, then he won’t be with us as people from a higher level will take him. Hopefully he can keep doing that for us and if he does, then we’re a lot better team.”

Exeter took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute when Brennan Dickenson’s cross evaded all except Ajose, who nodded past Scott Brown.

Bennett and Legge both headed over for the Valiants from set pieces, but the hosts won a penalty when Dickenson clumsily challenged Amoo and Bennett levelled from the spot.

Vale could have gone ahead when David Worrall slipped in Scott Burgess who blazed over from close range.

But the hosts went in front when Legge met Worrall’s cross and bundled home after the hour.

Grecians stopper Jonny Maxted parried Amoo’s effort to safety, but Bennett had his second and Vale’s third when nodding home Burgess’ cross.

Substitute Randell Williams struck the outside of the post late on for Exeter – and Grecians boss Matt Taylor felt poor habits from the past cost them dearly in the encounter.

“We were dominant in the first half, deservedly in front and it just takes one moment to change the dimensions of a football game,” he said.

“It changed pretty quickly and then all of a sudden, Port Vale got a head of steam.

“They played on the front foot and we just didn’t quite manage that 15 to 20 minute period well enough and they scored two goals and put us under severe pressure and we just couldn’t gain any control for a small amount of time.

“I just felt there were a couple of poor, older habits just came to show in that 20 minute period.”