Two minute guide to Exeter City v Port Vale
Can Port Vale build on their recent form with an away win at Exeter? Here’s our brief guide…
Not a great deal to report…
Well, there’s not really been anything earth shattering coming from Vale Park after the win over Crewe. Manager John Askey has praised Dior Angus and Carl Dickinson, the former for his attitude on loan at Barrow and the latter for his professionalism during training. Elsewhere, Vale continue to express an interest in their on-loan trio of Mitch Clark, Adam Crookes and Kyle Howkins while Askey also believes that the club’s style of play can attract further loan additions.
Vale manager happy with performances
“To perform as we have done in the last few games is full credit to the players because they have been under a lot of pressure. There is no bigger pressure than going out of the Football League.”
Port Vale manager John Askey
“We need a reaction. It’s another opportunity, we’ve got five opportunities left, starting with Port Vale at the weekend but it’s a game we want to look forward to. People talk about pressure, but that’s why we’re in this business, that’s why the players train and work as hard as they do, for moments like this.”
Exeter City manager Matt Taylor
Valiants in the lead historically
According to our fixture history article the Valiants hold a substantial lead. There have been 49 meetings (which of course makes this the 50th game between the two sides) and Vale have won 21 games compared to just 17 by Exeter City. There have also been eleven draws.
The Valiants won on their last visit to St James Park. In a match played in October 2017, Vale won by a solitary goal scored by striker Tom Pope in the 24th minute. Exeter has been a happy hunting ground for Mr Pope (right) who also scored twice in the club’s previous visit – a 2-0 win back in 2012. Will Vale make it three away wins in a row on Saturday?
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Matt Taylor – former defender now Exeter boss
Former central defender Matt Taylor spent the majority of his Football League career with Exeter City. Taylor had originally started out as a goalkeeper before converting to centre defence. He ended his playing career in 2016 with Bath City and in 2018 he was appointed Exeter manager replacing the departed Paul Tisdale. The 37 year-old has a win percentage of almost 40%.
Will Wilson haunt his former club?
As our Connections article points out, Vale will need to be wary of former loanee Donovan Wilson, who is currently on loan with Exeter. He’s been used as a sub in recent matches and has yet to find the net for the Grecians. Will he trouble the scorers on Saturday?
Who else has featured for both sides? Take a look at our article here
