Forest Green Rovers v Port Vale preview – can Vale upset League leaders?
Forest Green Rovers v Port Vale preview: It’s the third away League game at Vale Park for the Valiants and their fans. We preview the action…
Match details?
Details: Forest Green Rovers v Port Vale, League Two
Where and when: The Lawn, Saturday 28th August, 3pm
TICKET INFO FROM PORT VALE HERE PORT VALE FIXTURES LEAGUE TWO TABLE PORT VALE SQUAD PROFILESWhat happened last time we played them?
The last game between the two ended in a 1-1 draw at the Lawn back in January. Devante Rodney was the Vale goalscorer. It also ended 1-1 at Vale Park in the previous fixture last season.
Port Vale’s away record against Rovers is more than decent with the Valiants unbeaten in their last three games.
What’s our overall record?
Vale are currently winning in the overall stats:
- 3 Port Vale wins
- 2 losses
- 4 draws
What’s the Port Vale team news?
It looks like captain Tom Conlon will continue to be missing after he was spotted with a cast on his ankle during the Stevenage game. He could be joined by defender Leon Legge on the sidelines after the big centre-half was forced off. If Legge is missing then he’s likely to be replaced by fellow veteran Aaron Martin.
Will Darrell Clarke also be tempted to make other changes? Ben Garrity looked lively when he came on as a sub on Saturday while David Amoo scored four in a friendly in which loan signing Dennis Politic also impressed.
Vale’s season so far…
It was a disappointing start of the season for the Valiants as they lost 1-0 to Northampton Town. It was only compounded by Lucas Covolan’s red card on his full debut. In their second match, the Valiants were held at home by Tranmere Rovers. The Valiants haven’t scored in the League yet but they did manage to in the League Cup where they lost 2-1 to Sunderland. In their third League game they were held 0-0 by Carlisle Utd at Vale Park and they picked up yet another draw on Saturday after a 1-1 result at Stevenage.
What about the opponents?
FGR parted company with Mark Cooper after a five year spell and appointed newcomer Rob Edwards, the former Wolves midfielder. Edwards had a busy summer. He’s added ex-Wolves midfielder Sadou Diallo, Colchester United midfielder Ben Stevenson, ex-Bristol City player Opi Edwards plus Barnsley forward Jack Aitchson on loan. However, arguably it’s an established name, Jamille Matt, who has been the star of the season so far. He’s scored three times in four League games so far.
Man in charge: Rob Edwards
Age: 38
Clubs managed: Forest Green Rovers, Wolves (caretaker)
Appointed: May 2021
Games in charge: 4
Win ratio: 100%
Any Vale connections?
There’s no players involved who have played for both clubs but there are plenty of players who have appeared for both in recent seasons. The list includes striker Kurtis Guthrie, released by the Valiants at the end of the season, defender Callum Evans who was signed by former manager John Askey and striker Lee Hughes.
Vintage Vale Connection
The late Lee Collins played for both clubs with distinction.
Defender Collins had spells at both clubs making 163 appearances for the Valiants over a four year spell and a further 64 during a two year stay with Forest Green.
Collins, sadly passed away aged 32, earlier this year.
Fans will be taking part in an ovation to pay tribute to Collins during the game. You can find out more details here
Potted history
Formed in October 1889, the club’s fortunes rocketed when eco entrepreneur Dale Vince bought the club in 2010. They entered the Football League in 2017 and have often hit the headlines for a string of green initiatives. In 2018 Forest Green Rovers became the first football club in the world to be certified carbon neutral by the United Nations. They have been pushing for a place in League One in recent years, missing out in the play-offs in both 2019 and 2021.
Quick stats
- Record transfer fee: £25,000 to Bury for Adrian Randall
- Record transfer sale: £350,000 for Christian Doidge
- Record win: 8-0 vs Fareham Town
- Record loss: 1-10 vs Gloucester
From the archives…
Some photos from our FA Cup game back in 2012:
Were you paying attention?
A quick quiz on the opponents – answers at the bottom of the page…
- Which player has scored three goals for FGR in the opening four games?
- Who is the current FGR manager?
- Who is the record FGR sale?
- In which year were the club formed?
Quiz answers below:
- Jamille Matt
- Rob Edwards
- Christian Doidge
- 1889