Four first half goals from Maleace Asamoah, Aaron McGowan, Max Watters and Lewis Monstma saw the hosts race out of the blocks.
City were unable to find a way back into the tie as Keyrol Figueroa headed behind on the 64th minute mark, coming straight off the bench.
The Young Blues almost snagged a goal back through Kylan Midwood as we were cheered on by a vocal away support but we were knocked out of the EFL Trophy at Vale Park.
WHAT HAPPENED
It was a must win game at Vale Park for the Young Blues who were looking to progress to the knockout stage for the first time since 2020.
The hosts came in off the back of a 2-0 defeat to York City and were keen to put that right.
Four minutes in and Port Vale found the lead through Asamoah and as per our previous clash in the competition we would have to find a way back.
But City would soon be 2-0 down inside 10 minutes as McGowan headed in direct from a corner.
There was still time for Oliver Reiss’ side, who were cheered on by a decent contingent of away fans including Floyd Samba and Kaden Braithwaite, as Brooklyn Nfonkeu raced forward and won a corner.
It would eventually amount to nothing and on the half hour mark, a first goal for Watters would see Port Vale record their third of the evening before Montsma fired in four minutes later.
As time ticked towards the break, Matty Henderson-Hall whipped a fierce effort goal wards, but his shot flashed across the box.
The second 45 was a much calmer affair with substitutes Teddie Lamb, Harrison Miles and Marlow Barrett attempting to carve a way back into the tie.
Figueroa rose the highest as he headed home Kyle John’s pin point delivery for the hosts’ fourth headed goal of the evening and fifth overall.
City were still creating efforts in attack as Xavier Parker attempted to weave through the Vale defence while Midwood went the closest with less than 10 to play.
We were throwing everything at the clash to get a goal back as substitute Finlay Gorman forced Smith to palm away, but our valiant efforts would amount to nothing as our EDS exited the competition.
HOW WE LINED UP
Port Vale XI | Smith, John (C) (Humphreys 66’), Headley (Gabriel 66’), Hernandez (Lynch), McGowan (Moon 66’), Montsma, Asamoah, Hall, Watters (Figeuroa), Walters, Bussell
SUBS | Marosi, Dempsey
City XI | Chabot, Nfonkeu, Parker, Wilson-Esbrand (Barrett 46’), Fapetu (Lamb 46’), Parker, Courtman (Miles 46’), Drake, Henderson-Hall (Gorman 74’), Noble (C), Midwood
SUBS | Vickery, Tevenan
AS A RESULT
City bow out of the Jersey Mikes Trophy after finishing in third place in Group D with three points.
UP NEXT
We return to the UEFA Youth League as we travel to RB Leipzig on Wednesday 4 November.
Kick-off is scheduled for 14:00 (UK) and the game will be available to watch live on CITY +.
