Two minute guide to: Aldershot Town
OVF takes a look ahead to Friday’s League Two clash with Aldershot Town and our rapid guide to Port Vale’s in-form opponents.
We also profile Guy Madjo, the former Valiant now playing for the opposition and recall the infamous “busgate” episode from last season.
Form guide:
Good. The Shots are unbeaten in five games and last lost at home way back in January. Since that defeat they’s won six and drawn once at home.
Man in charge:
Former Vale loanee Dean Holdsworth has been in charge for 71 games, winning 29, losing 23 and drawing 19.
Last time we met:
Vale secured a thumping 4-0 win back in December thanks to a hat-trick by then Vale loanee Guy Madjo and another from Sean Rigg.
Overall record:
Dead square – Vale have won 23 times, Aldershot 23 times and there have been 13 draws.
Featured connection:
A lot of attention will be on Guy Madjo, who could be a Vale player today, if it wasn’t for the incompetence of the previous Port Vale board. Madjo’s had a stop-start Aldershot career so far as he alternates between a starting place and a seat on the sub’s bench. Nevertheless, he’s scored a creditable four goals in eleven starts and three sub appearances.
Played for both sides:
Apart from Madjo, other players to appear for both sides include Clayton Fortune (two spells on loan at Vale), Martin Foyle (Vale legend), Les Lawrence (8 appearances for Vale from 1982 to 1983), Chris Allen (5 games on loan at Vale in 1999), Billy Easton, Andy Massey (on loan at Vale in 1984), Harry Roberts, Gilbert Glidden and William Allsop. Shots boss Dean Holdsworth had a spell on loan with Vale back in 1988.
Team news:
Micky Adams could face a rare selection poser in defence as youngster Joe Davis has returned from suspension. John McCombe has been struggling with injury and illness recently so Davis’ return could give Adams the chance to rest him and pair Davis with Clayton McDonald. Upfront, Tom Pope and Ben Williamson are also competing for the right to start alongside top scorer Marc Richards.
Aldershot will be missing loanee Michael Doughty, who has returned to his parent club, Spurs but Peter Vincenti could return.
Pre-match quote:
“We are looking for six points over Easter. We have experience in the right areas. All we can do is keep picking up points. We have a hungry bunch of lads and we will see where it takes us.”
– Aldershot player Danny Hylton
“There’s no room for complacency and anyone thinking it’s a foregone conclusion. We owe Port Vale one because we never gave them a performance when we were down there. I don’t think their (financial) situation helps them but their players have to concentrate on their jobs. I’m concentrating on my players and seeing what we can do.”
– Dean Holdsworth
Trivia:
Few Vale fans will forget the infamous “busgate” episode which took place on the team coach on the way to last season’s away game at Aldershot. Many people may have forgotten the match itself – which Vale managed to win 2-1.