Two minute guide to: Port Vale v Bristol Rovers
It’s another crucial home game for caretaker Michael Brown and here’s our brief guide to the action…
In the picture:
The story behind our choice of image we’ve chosen to lead the article with…
At the end of the play-off win over Bristol Rovers in 1989, Vale legend Robbie Earle sits in the tunnel and weeps tears of joy. It was his goal that sealed promotion. Earle had scored four times against Rovers that season including that winning play-off final goal.
Here’s our video clip of both play-off games. It’s taken from our onevalefan YouTube channel:
The two sides
Port Vale
- Manager: Michael Brown (caretaker)
- Last match: 0-2 vs Millwall
- Top scorer: Alex Jones (10)
Bristol Rovers
- Manager: Darrell Clarke
- Last match: 0-0 vs Sheff Utd
- Top scorer: Matt Taylor (19)
Match details
Venue:
Vale Park
Date:
18th February 2017
Tickets:
Online Port Vale ticketing website
Pre-match thoughts
Here’s Michael Brown…
Vale team news
Welcome to perhaps the key section of our guide. Vale face some crucial decisions after two injuries following the defeat to Millwall. Defender Remie Streete is out for six weeks and his place in central defence is likely to be taken by Kjell Knops. That leaves a vacancy at left-back which Scott Tanser and Kiko (right) are set to compete for.
Anthony De Freitas is missing from the midfield with a groin injury. Michael Brown will probably pick between Seb Amoros and himself to fill the gap.
After the poor result to Millwall, there could be changes elsewhere. Anton Forrester is pushing for a place upfront and presuming their differences have been patched up, could Jerome Thomas return to the wing?
Last time we met…
The clubs met in September with the Vale suffering a 2-1 defeat. Martin Paterson scored a consolation for the Valiants.
Overall record
Port Vale wins: 27
Port Vale losses: 20
Draws: 18
Club connections
Rovers have two former Valiants in their squad and Chris Lines (right) is expected to line-up against his former side. Byron Moore, on the other hand, has mainly been used off the bench.
Ironically, Rovers boss Darrell Clarke has one of the briefest Vale careers on record. Joining Vale on loan his first-team action totalled just one minute before the loan expired. Other players to appear for both sides in recent years include:
- Midfielder Dominic Blizzard
- Winger Sean Rigg
- Forward Lewis Haldane
- Striker Peter Beadle
- Full-back Dan Jones
- Winger Kaid Mohamed
Did you know…
- The two clubs first met in 1939.
- That first meeting ended in a 1-0 win for Vale.
- The game in December 1963 ended in a dramatic 4-4 draw
- Vale won 4-0 the last time the two sides met at Vale Park. Tom Pope (right) scored a hat-trick.