Notts County v Port Vale – fixture history
It’s one of the most important games in the club’s recent years but how did the Valiants fare on previous encounters against County? We take a look…
Notts County go into the game at 29/20 favourites with the William Hill app for Android, whilst Port Vale are 2/1 with the same bookie to cause an upset and the draw is available at 23/10.
Last time we met
It finished 2-2 in a rather dramatic encounter at Vale Park earlier this season. The Valiants took the lead through Luke Hannant before the visitors levelled through Kane Hemmings. County appeared to have won it when Elliott Ward netted in the 87th minute but Vale drew level through a 89th minute equaliser from Tom Pope.
The Port Vale team that day was Scott Brown, Mitch Clark, Leon Legge, Nathan Smith, Connell Rawlinson, Theo Vassell, Ben Whitfield, Tom Conlon, Luke Joyce, Luke Hannant and Tom Pope.
First time we met
The first encounter took place way back in 1893 in Port Vale’s second-ever season in the Football League. The first match ended in a comprehensive win when County thumped Vale 6-1. The Valiants were to do much better in the reverse fixture, winning 1-0 at home. Midfielder Alf Wood holds the distinction of being the first Vale player to score against Notts County.
Overall record
The two sides have met 103 times over the years with County holding a considerable advantage. The Magpies have 46 wins to Vale’s 31 and there have been 21 draws.
Recent record
The Valiants have won just twice in the last six games. They also have the same record at Meadow Lane having won on two of the last six visits there. Their last win was a 1-0 victory in 2015 thanks to a winning goal from winger Mark Marshall.
Memorable loss
In 1895, only two years after thrashing Vale 6-1, County went one better and won by seven goals to two. Just 500 people were present to see the humiliation.
Memorable win
In March 1989 Vale boasted their promotion hopes with a thumping 4-1 win over Notts County at the Meadow Ground. The Vale hero that day was striker Darren Beckford who netted a hat-trick. The other Vale goal came from midfielder Ray Walker. The Valiants would seal promotion at the end of the season.