English-Ghanaian forward Maleace Asamoah struck inside four minutes as Port Vale routed Manchester City U21s to reach the Trophy knockouts.
English-Ghanaian forward Maleace Asamoah set the tone for a statement night at Vale Park, tapping home after just four minutes as Port Vale thrashed Manchester City U21s 5-0 in the Jersey Mike's Trophy.
The move started with Jaheim Headley slipping a through ball to Onel Hernandez, who drove down the left and pulled the ball back for Asamoah. The forward made no mistake from close range, handing Jon Brady's side the early lead they wanted.
Vale kept the foot on the gas. Aaron McGowan, making his first start for the club, doubled the advantage six minutes later with a header from a Headley corner. He then turned creator in the 30th minute, floating a cross onto the head of Max Watters for 3-0. Four minutes after that, Lewis Montsma nodded in another McGowan delivery to make it 4-0 and leave City with a mountain to climb before the break.
The young visitors showed more intent after the restart, but Vale had the final word. Substitute Keyrol Figueroa converted Kyle John's cross to complete the rout.
The result books Port Vale's place in the knockout stages, and Asamoah's quick opener proved the spark for a dominant team performance.
