Two minute guide to Yeovil Town v Port Vale
The Valiants face a long trip to the West Country for a midweek game – here’s our guide to the match…
Pre-match newsdesk
Following a disappointing defeat to Swindon, Neil Aspin may make changes for the Yeovil game. One change will probably involve the return of key midfielder Manny Oyeleke (right) after suspension. Meanwhile, Mitchell Clark has been ruled out for three weeks so James Gibbons will be expected to deputise. Aspin may also be tempted to rest Cristian Montano who has only just come back from injury. Louis Dodds, Scott Quigley and Theo Vassell all came off the bench and must be pushing for a starting place.
Memory match
October 11th 2014 was a good day for striker Tom Pope (right) as he netted twice in a 4-1 League One win over Yeovil.
The Vale’s other goalscorers were Chris Lines and Colin Daniel.
Not going but want to be involved…
If you can’t make it to the game itself, the match will be streamed live on the iFollow service. iFollow is available to overseas and UK-based Vale fans.
Or how about placing a bet on the outcome? If you’re thinking of having a bet you may want to check bookmaker reviews before deciding who to place that all-important bet with. Good luck!
Quotes
“Firstly, there’s no excuses for it being a long trip. I’ve been in non-league football and we’ve had to make the trip from Gateshead to a lot of teams and you’ve got to get on with it. I’ve been on the other side of the coin when in non-league when I’ve had to go into work the next day when I get back, so there’s no excuses. It’s a long trip but we’ve got to roll up our sleeves and start getting some points…”
Port Vale manager Neil Aspin
Man in charge
Former Yeovil player Darren Way has been manager for three years after a number of years on the coaching staff. He has been in charge for 167 games with a 31% win rate.
Stats and facts
The two sides have met twelve times and it’s exactly even with four wins apiece and four draws. However, Vale have won just once in their six trips to Huish Park. That win came in 2015 with goals from Tom Pope and Michael Brown (right).
Talking of Tom Pope…
Yeovil represents one of the strikers happiest hunting grounds. The targetman has netted SIX times against Yeovil as follows:
- 2017/18 season – netted at Vale Park (1)
- 2016/17 season – netted both home and away (2)
- 2014/15 season – netted away and twice at home (3)
No doubt Pope will be hoping to make that tally seven very soon.
Featured connection
Vale could well face former captain Carl Dickinson and in his current form, they should be wary of his newfound shooting prowess. Dicko has already netted twice in 20 games for Yeovil – a far superior strikerate to his four goals in 143 appearances in a Vale shirt.
Meanwhile, Ben Whitfield will face a club he spent a spell on loan at.
Crossing the lines
There have been a whole host of players to appear for both clubs so without further ado here is a long (but by no means comprehensive) list of recent players to appear for both clubs – Colin Miles (right), Dominic Blizzard, Gary Roberts, AJ Leitch-Smith and Ryan Inniss.