Match preview: Port Vale v Crawley Town
It’s the first Football League game of the new season as Port Vale open up at home with a match against Crawley Town. This feature contains a comprehensive guide on how to stream the match…
Match details:
Teams: Port Vale v Crawley Town
Competition: Football League Two
Venue: Vale Park
Kick-off: Saturday 12th September, 3pm
How to watch:
First off, let’s deal with watching this behind closed doors game. It will be available to watch on the iFollow service. Here’s how to watch it…
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- If you don’t have an existing iFollow account sign up here
- If you have an existing iFollow account sign in here
- When signed in go to this page, select Video packages, select the relevant game and pay
- On matchday, go to this page and there will be an option at the bottom to watch live video
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- If you don’t have an existing iFollow account sign up here
- If you have an existing iFollow account sign in here
- When signed in go to this page, select Video packages, select the relevant game and enter the promo code you have been given to sign-up for free (you’ll need to do this for every game)
- On matchday, go to this page and there will be an option at the bottom to watch live video
FAQs
Q: I am a season ticket holder and I haven’t received a code / I have a problem with my code?
A: Season Ticket holders who experience problems or have not received a code, should contact the Ticket Office on 01782 655821. You can also email: [email protected].
Q: Do I have to set up the account/buy the pass on the day of the match?
A: No, you can set up your iFollow account and/or buy your match pass in advance if it is easier. All you need to do then is log onto iFollow on the day of the match go to this page and there will be an option at the bottom to watch live video.
Q: Can I watch it down the pub?
A: No, it’s illegal to show iFollow streams in public so they would be breaking the law. The service is for private use only.
Q: Can I watch it on the TV screen?
A: The iFollow service is available via an app or a browser. Probably the simplest way to watch it on the TV screen is to watch the stream on a browser and connect your computer to your TV via a HDMI lead. The video and audio should then show on your screen.
Q: What about the programme?
A: Ahead of the game Port Vale will also be sending all season ticket holders a link to a complimentary digital copy of our new-look matchday programme! If you do not receive your digital copy by 1pm on Saturday, then please contact us on the numbers provided above. Additionally, if you wish to collect a physical copy of the programme ahead of kick off – please contact the club shop.
Q: What commentary will be provided?
A: Usually commentary from both teams (home and away) is provided. In Vale’s case it is usually the BBC Radio Stoke commentary team. When the match starts, click on the cog on the bottom RH corner to select home or away commentary.
Q: Does Port Vale make money from iFollow?
A: Yes and in these days of behind closed door matches, the revenue from iFollow can be vital. Clubs like Vale earn around 80% of the cost of an iFollow ticket regardless of whether the game is played home or away.
Need more information? We have a dedicated forum thread with help and advice right here. There’s also a guide on setting up an iFollow account while here is a guide for season ticket holders redeeming a code
Form guide:
The two sides had contrasting fortunes in the cup competitions played so far this season. The Valiants won in the Carabao Cup against Scunthorpe United and a penalty shootout win over Tranmere in the Football League Trophy. In contrast, Crawley lost both their games – 3-1 against Millwall and 2-1 against Gillingham respectively.
Port Vale’s promotion odds
Our friends at God of Odds have produced this excellent betting tips preview piece which is well worth checking out. It debates Port Vale’s chances of promotion in the forthcoming season.
Port Vale team news:
After a successful run-out against Tranmere Rovers in the FLT, John Askey has some welcome selection headaches to ponder. If Scott Brown is still carrying a knock should he stick with the impressive Dino Visser (right) in goal? Will Scott Burgess or Danny Whitehead partner Tom Conlon? Who starts in the central striking position? Do fit again duo Manny Oyeleke and Cristian Montano make the bench (and if so who drops out of the squad)? Will new signing Harry McKirdy be involved?
Players who will be missing out are the suspended Tom Pope and injured James Gibbons. Here’s a guesswork starting eleven…
Guesswork XI:
Brown – Mills, Smith, Legge, Fitzpatrick – Joyce, Burgess, Conlon – Rodney, Robinson, Worrall
Opposition team news:
It’s been a busy summer at Crawley with Bristol Rovers midfielder Sam Matthews, Hemel Hempstead forward Sam Ashford, winger Zaid Al-Hussaini, Grimsby Town midfielder Jake Hessenthaler, Brighton loanee Tom McGill and Bristol Rovers striker Tom Nichols all coming in. Leaving were striker Bez Lubala to Blackpool, midfielder Pautche Camara to Plymouth and forward Ollie Palmer to Wimbledon.
Opposition manager:
Former Fulham and Milwall coach John Yems was appointed caretaker Crawley manager in 2006. Following the departure of Gabriele Cioffi he was reappointed as Crawley manager in December 2019.
He has been in charge for twenty games with a win ratio of 30%,
Connections:
Former Port Vale midfielder Nathan Ferguson is expected to face his former club on Saturday. Ferguson has been a success at Crawley since joining in 2019. He has made forty one appearances scoring seven times. Ferguson’s time at Vale Park was less memorable as he made a solitary sub appearance in the 2016-17 season before being released.
Pre-match quote:
Expectations have gone from being happy with mediocrity to expecting promotion. It’s not easy, there is no magic wand. But if we can put in performances like we did last season, and everybody works as hard, then we have got a chance.
Port Vale manager John Askey looks ahead to the season
Last time we met:
There was just the one meeting between the two sides in last season’s truncated campaign. It ended 0-0 at Crawley in December. As for the last game at Vale Park… that took place in August 2018 and finished 1-0 to Port Vale thanks to a goal from Luke Hannant (right).