Two minute guide to: Bristol Rovers v Port Vale
Can Port Vale address their away form by beating Bristol Rovers? Here’s our guide to the action…
In the picture: tearful celebrations…
The story behind our choice of image we’ve chosen to lead the article with…
Our top image shows matchwinner Robbie Earle weeping tears of joy after the play-off win over Bristol Rovers in 1989. The full image is to the right.
The match finished 1-0 to the Valiants.
We have a YouTube clip of Vale’s two play-off games which includes a rather controversial Rob Futcher moment in the first-leg.
Here it is:
The two sides
Port Vale
- Manager: Bruno Ribeiro
- Last match: 2-1 vs Gillingham
- Top scorer: Alex Jones (5)
Bristol Rovers
- Manager: Darell Clarke
- Last match: 2-1 vs Swindon
- Top scorer: Matt Taylor (7)
Match details
Venue:
The Memorial Ground
Date:
14th September 2016, 3pm
Prices:
Seating:
- Adults – £19 (On the day £21)
- 16-21 – £15 (On the day £17)
- 65+ – £10 -(On the day £12)
- Under-16 – £10 -(On the day £12)
Terrace:
- Adults – £16 (On the day £18)
- 16-21 – £12 (On the day £14)
- 65+ – £8 (On the day £10)
- Under-21 – £8 (On the day £10)
Pre-match thoughts
Michael Brown
Ben Purkiss
Team news
The main Vale debate will be regarding the front three. Rigino Cicilia (above) is pushing hard for a start after an impressive performance as a sub on Saturday and a goal for the reserves and he could oust Martin Paterson from the XI. Gezim Shalaj also impressed for the reserves but he is more likely to be on the bench.
Possible Vale line-up:
Alnwick
Purkiss – Streete – Smith – Knops
Grant – Tavares
Foley
Jones – Cicilia – Thomas
Last time we met…
The two sides last met in March 2013 when two goals from Ryan Brunt gave Rovers the win. Earlier in the season the match at Vale Park had ended 4-0 to Vale with Tom Pope (above) netting a hat-trick.
Overall record
Port Vale wins: 23
Port Vale losses: 17
Draws: 18
Form guide
Club connections
This match will see Byron Moore face Vale for the first time since leaving in the summer.
The Crewe winger signed for Vale two years ago but after a family tragedy struck on the very day he signed for Vale, he was initially out of the first-team picture as Micky Adams sensibly allowed the winger time to grieve.
He featured more regularly in his second season, netting five goals, but he rejected Vale’s contract in the summer and opted to join Rovers on a two-year contract.
Vale stats: 59 games | 6 goals
Other current connections include Rovers manager Darrell Clarke who has one of the shortest-ever Vale careers. Signed on loan he played just one minute of action for the Valiants. Midfielder Chris Lines is also expected to face the Valiants after leaving for Rovers a year ago.
Other players to appear for both clubs include:
- Striker Michael Husbands
- Winger Dominic Blizzard
- Forward Sean Rigg
- Forward Lewis Haldane (above)
- Defender Clayton McDonald
- Striker Gareth Taylor
Did you know…
- The first game between the two sides took place in 1939 and finished 1-0 to the Valiants.
- Tom Nolan scored Vale’s first goal against Rovers in that 1939 game.
- In 1963 the game at Eastville ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw.
- Vale have a decent recent away record against Rovers, winning four of the last six visits.