Two minute guide to: Shrewsbury
It’s hopefully the third time lucky for Vale’s game against Shrewsbury. After delays caused by the weather and a fire in the main stand, OVF is hoping that a plague of frogs or locusts will not delay the fixture for a third time.
Here’s our quick guide to Vale’s next opponents.
How are they doing?
Very well. They are unbeaten in their last six games and haven’t lost at home all season.
Last time we met?
Well, it never finished did it? March’s game was abandoned after 64 minutes due to a fire in the East Stand generator room at the Greenhous Meadow. At the time, Town were leading 1-0 thanks to a well-taken 50th-minute strike from top scorer James Collins.
Overall record?
Shrewsbury have won 18, Port Vale have won 13 and there have been 14 draws. Vale last won at Shrewsbury in 2009 when John McCombe scored the winner in a 1-0 win.
Featured connection?
Romain Sawyers had one of the briefest Vale first-team careers ever. The West Brom midfielder joined alongside Kaylden Brown under the managership of Jim Gannon. He managed one eight minute substitute appearance before returning to his parent club. It’s close to the shortest Vale first-team career ever – that particular record is held by Daryl Clare who made a solitary one minute subs appearance while on loan. Sawyers is now on loan at Shrewsbury where he had featured far more – making two full and five sub appearances whilst on loan.
Played for both?
Players to appear for both sides include Luke Rodgers, Dave Hibbert, Guy Madjo, Sagi Burton, Liam Burns, Neville Southall, Carl Griffiths, Tony Kelly, Darren Hughes, Exodus Geoghaghan, Robin Hulbert, Alex Smith (pictured right), Les Lawrence, Paul Maguire, Geoff Morris, John Jeffers, Steve Biggins, Tony Loska, James Hill, Tim Parkin, Geoff Hickson, Gareth Griffiths, Stewart Talbot, Alan Boswell and Brian Taylor.
Meanwhile, Vale midfielder Rob Taylor was born in Shrewsbury.
Team news?
With his trial ongoing, Clayton McDonald could miss out again, so rookie Joe Davis could earn his fourth start for the first-team. Otherwise, Vale could be unchanged from the side that drew 0-0 with Morecambe.
Shrewsbury are expected to name an unchanged side after Saturday’s 3-1 win over Rotherham extended their unbeaten home record to 30 games.
Who’s said what?
“No disrespect to Shrewsbury, but we want them to stay down because it’s a local derby and always good gates!”
– Mark Grew
In numbers?
John McCombe is set to make his 150th league appearance for the Valiants
Ben Williamson could make his 20th league sub appearance if he comes on. If he does he will equal Michael Husbands who made 20 sub appearances back in 2006 and Williamson could well surpass Husbands by the end of the season. That will make Williamson the most-used Vale league sub in the last 17 years. However, there are not enough games left for Williamson to Martin Foyle’s record. Foyle made a staggering 28 sub appearances back in 1995.