Match preview: Port Vale vs Blackpool (friendly, August 2020)
It’s a relief to report on some actual match action even if the first friendly of the season will still be played behind closed doors…
Match details:
Teams: Port Vale vs Blackpool
Venue: Vale Park
Kick-off: Saturday 15th August at 3pm
Port Vale team news:
The Valiants will include their three new signings Devante Rodney (pictured right), Zak Mills and Danny Whitehead along with five trialists. The trialists include two forwards (Harvey Bradbury and Kieran Hayes), a midfielder (Ethan Beckford) and two goalkeepers (Dino Visser and Rhys Lovatt).
Opposition team news:
Blackpool have been the most active League One club in the transfer market this summer, making six new additions to date. Ethan Robson became the latest to sign joining Keshi Anderson, Marvin Ekpiteta, CJ Hamilton, Jerry Yates and Oliver Sarkic. The Seasiders have already been in friendly action, beating a Southport side 4-0 earlier this week.
Connections
Port Vale striker Mark Cullen (pictured right) could play against a side where he made 108 appearances over a four year spell. Cullen also scored the winning goal as Blackpool secured promotion to League One after a 2-1 play-off final win over Exeter City in 2017.
Port Vale coach Danny Pugh also had a spell at Blackpool although his playing days are now behind him.
Pre-match quote:
“They are ready to go on Saturday for the first game… It will be tough on Saturday because Blackpool have already played, I think, two games so it will test them. but it’s not about the results it’s about getting your fitness and your confidence as a player…”
Port Vale manager John Askey
Last time we met:
The two sides last met competitively back in 2016. It finished in a 1-0 away win for the Valiants thanks to a winning strike from AJ Leitch-Smith (pictured right). The last time we met at Vale Park was in November 2015 when it finished 2-0 to the Vale thanks to goals from Birchall and another from Leitch-Smith.
Any other business:
The game will take place behind closed doors but Vale fans can watch a free live stream on the official Port Vale YouTube channel.
You can also discuss the game on the forum in our dedicated matchday thread:
DISCUSS THE MATCH ON THE FORUM HERE