Tom Pope scores twice as Port Vale cruise

Tom Pope’s brace and Ricky Miller’s debut strike earned Port Vale a comfortable 3-0 victory over Cambridge.

The Valiants are now unbeaten in their last 14 opening day fixtures.

The visitors had the first chance of the game after eight minutes when a George Maris corner was headed narrowly wide by Ade Azeez.

Azeez was left unmarked from another set-piece 10 minutes later, but with the goal at his mercy the stretching U’s striker could not make contact with the ball.

Port Vale took the lead in first-half stoppage-time when Miller curled home a fantastic free-kick from 20 yards.

The Valiants doubled their advantage from the penalty spot, with Pope firing home after Miller had been tripped in the area.

Cambridge looked to reduce the arrears shortly after but Azeez was denied by an excellent save from Scott Brown.

Pope made it 3-0 with 20 minutes remaining when he headed a Cristian Montano cross past David Forde to seal victory.