Match Preview: Port Vale v Macclesfield Town, New Year’s Day 2020
Can Port Vale carry on their good result against Swindon Town with another home victory over Macclesfield Town?
Form Guide
Port Vale last six games
- Won: 1
- Drawn: 3
- Lost: 2
- Goals for: 6
- Goals against: 6
Macclesfield last six games
- Won: 0
- Drawn: 5
- Lost: 1
- Goals for: 3
- Goals against: 4
Team news
The Valiants won’t be expected to make any changes after their win over Swindon. It means that impressive youngsters Jake Taylor and Scott Burgess (pictured right) will line-up together in midfield. Winger Cristian Montano will continue to deputise as left-back in the absence of Adam Crookes.
Other news
The Valiants have submitted an enhanced bid for on loan midfielder Jake Taylor as they bid to keep the Nottingham Forest player. Loaned out defender Kieran Kennedy has expressed an interest in extending his stay at Wrexham.
Stats
The last meeting in October ended in a disappointing 2-1 loss for the Valiants. Richie Bennett (pictured right) gave Vale the lead but two goals for the home side gave them three points.
The two sides also met in the Football League Trophy earlier this season and that game ended in a memorable 3-2 away win for the Vale in the Football League Trophy. The Vale goals were scored by debutant Scott Burgess, Jake Taylor and striker Richie Bennett (right).
Vale’s last home win over Macclesfield was in 2012 when an Adam Yates goal gave Vale a 1-0 win.
The overall record between the two sides is seven Port Vale wins, two draws and six Macclesfield wins.
Opposition Guide
Hit by financial issues for some seasons now, Macclesfield Town have been docked points for failing to fulfil their fixtures. The blame clearly appears to lie with the club’s owner and Macc fans have our sympathy as the Valiants know all too well what it’s like to have a controversial owner in charge. We hope the club has better times under a better owner soon. The Town manager is Daryl McMahon, who once had a brief playing spell at Vale Park. The club’s top-scorer is Theo Archibald with six goals in all competitions.
Connections
Where to begin with this? There are a whole host of players to appear for both clubs including:
In the Vale ranks
- Manager John Askey
- Midfielder Ryan Lloyd (pictured right)
- Midfielder Scott Burgess
- Defender Callum Evans
- Defender Shaun Brisley
- Winger Rhys Browne
In the Macclesfield squad
- Defender Theo Vassell (pictured right)
- Midfielder Jak McCourt
- Manager Daryl McMahon
Pre-match quote
We’ve got to follow it up and the attitude has got to be the same when you play the likes of Macclesfield as it is when you’re playing the top teams, so hopefully we can do that….
Port Vale manager John Askey (right)
Memory match
On Saturday 10th January 1988, arguably the most important game in John Rudge’s reign ended in a narrow 1-0 win. That match was the FA Cup tie against Macclesfield Town. Rudge was under huge pressure after a string of poor results and defender Phil Sproson later told the press he had been approached to be caretaker manager if Vale lost the match. However, Kevin Finney (right) scored a late winner, Vale were drawn against Spurs in the next round and the rest is history…