An Exciting Start to 2020 Lies Ahead for Vale
2020 is on its way and could it be the year that Port Vale return to League One or become FA Cup giant killers? Port Vale approach the end of this year in tenth place in League Two and only five points behind the final promotion play-off position.
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Since being relegated in the 2016/17 season, it’s been a real struggle for the club. Two seasons in League Two have seen them finish in 20th place. Rather than looking to get promotion last season, the club looked as if there was even the possibility of a nightmare relegation to the National League.
Thankfully, that didn’t happen and then June saw a new era arrive at Vale Park. Local couple Carol and Kevin Shanahan became the new owners of the club. One of the first moves they made was to purchase Vale Park, making it something that generated income for the club not drain cash out of it.
The new season got off to a frustrating start with three straight 1-1 draws. In each of those games, Vale led 1-0 only to lose the lead, including that 90th minute equalizer by Salford City. The first win of the new league season finally came with a 2-1 home win over Forest Green Rovers but was followed by a disastrous 5-2 loss at Grimsby Town, despite taking an early lead.
The season continued to be an inconsistent one but unlike last season, not one that had the possibility of relegation. It wasn’t until November that Vale finally won two league games in a row. A win at Crewe Alexandra was followed by a 2-1 home victory over Carlisle United. Not that it looked likely after conceding in the first minute and still trailing with half an hour remaining.
Current form isn’t great though with two defeats and two draws in the last four league games. Some goals would be handy for Christmas with only one in the last three and that was scored for them by the opposition.
Tom Pope hasn’t been as prolific as in recent years but who will forget his recent FA Cup heroics? Pope hit a hat-trick at Cheltenham Town and then Vale picked a plum draw in the third round. January 4 sees them travel to Manchester City, a daunting task indeed but one heck of a day out for Vale’s fans. That’s followed by a last sixteen EFL Trophy tie at Salford Town, so an exciting start to the new year lies ahead.
The next month or so is going to be an important time for the club. Improved league form could well see them getting close to that return to League One and there will be plenty of betting opportunities too.