Port Vale cruised into the Second Round with a dominant 5-1 victory over Maldon & Tiptree at Vale Park in the First Round Proper. Despite falling behind early to Annisuis Lewis’s 6th-minute opener for the non-league visitors, Vale responded with a devastating four-goal burst. R. Paton struck twice in three minutes (15′, 18′) to turn the game around, before George Hall (16′) and Devante Cole (24′) added to the tally. Cole completed the rout with his second goal in the 56th minute, as Vale’s dominance told the story of their comprehensive cup victory.
