Two minute guide to: Aldershot
Providing the weather doesn’t intervene, the Valiants will host Aldershot this weekend. Here’s our brief guide to our next opponents.
The man in charge?
Former Rotherham boss Andy Scott (allegedly not Tom Pope’s favourite person in football) was appointed manager last month. He’s been in charge for six games, winning one, drawing two and losing three.
Recent form?
Dire. They haven’t won for five games, losing the last two, and their last victory away from home was back in November.
Last time we met?
Vale won 3-1 back in November thanks to goals from Ben Williamson, Ryan Burge (right) and Jennison Myrie-Williams (a penalty).
Overall record?
Vale have won 26, just ahead of Aldershot’s 23 and there have been 13 draws. The Vale have won their last two home games against Aldershot and it was 1985 when the Shots last achieved a victory at Vale Park.
Featured connection?
Guy Madjo spent a shorter than expected loan spell at Vale. Madjo netted a hat-trick against the Shots and with four goals in six games, he was all set to remain on loan but the financial mismanagement of the previous board saw him plus fellow loanees Liam Chilvers and Jennison Myrie-Williams (who have both ironically rejoined the Vale) return to their parent clubs. Madjo then joined Aldershot before he was released earlier this season. He is currently with Macclesfield Town.
Other connections?
Other players to appear for both sides include Clayton Fortune (two spells on loan at Vale, right), 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?
Doug Loft is expected to return to the Vale midfield. Loft has served a suspension and could replace Chris Birchall who is on International duty. Rob Taylor and Darren Purse are set to miss out but Richard Duffy and Dan Jones are pushing for places in the defence.
Anthony Tonkin hopes to return to the fold for Aldershot but Lionel Ainsworth will play no part after his loan spell came to an end.
Pre-match quotes
“Going to the bottom will have been a real gut-wrencher for them and they need wins now, not draws. Their best policy is to come here and look for all three points, but we want back-to-back victories to cement our place.”
– Micky Adams
“We showed against Gillingham and Bradford that we can compete against the bigger clubs in this league and we go to Port Vale with no fear. We will play our way. They’ll be expected to win the game but teams in this league are inconsistent, even at the top, and we have to concentrate on making sure we are consistent from now until the end of the season.”
– Andy Scott