Port Vale v Barrow preview – will Vale bounce back from Sutton shock?
Port Vale v Barrow preview: Port Vale’s promising run came to an end at Sutton, can they bounce back at home against Barrow?
Match details
Details:
Port Vale v Barrow, League Two
Where:
Vale Park stadium
When:
Saturday 16th October, 3pm
Last time we met?
The teams last met in April in a match memorable for a stunning Tom Conlon strike. It ended 2-0 to the Vale. Earlier, Vale had suffered a disappointing 2-0 home defeat on Boxing Day 2020 with the visitors coming from former Valiant Scott Quigley and Patrick Brough.
Overall record:
10 Vale wins, 5 draws and 3 defeats.
Valiants team news
Are changes likely after that defeat to Sutton? Jamie Proctor may be a fitness doubt while his strike partner James Wilson had an off day against United.
David Amoo was once again finding the net in a midweek friendly so could he be an option? Will Devante Rodney come back into the squad? Another option would be to give a start to livewire loanee Dennis Politic.
There’s also a possibility of a switch in midfield. Ben Garrity took a heavy knock against Leyton Orient and Darrell Clarke may consider resting him in favour of a start for Jake Taylor. Brad Walker is regaining fitness but is more likely to be on the bench.
Veteran defender Aaron Martin could also return to the bench while Leon Legge remains sidelined and Alex Hurst is unlikely to feature after picking up an injury in midweek.
Opposition team news
Barrow boss Mark Cooper is set to welcome in-form midfielder Ollie Banks back after serving suspension. However, Barrow have a lengthy injury list with Connor Brown (groin), Jamie Devitt (thigh), Luke James (foot), Dimitri Sea (hamstring), Tom Beadling (knee), Mike Jones (Achilles), Kgosi Ntlhe (knee) and Matt Platt (back) all suffering from knocks.
Man in charge: Mark Cooper
- Age: 52
- Appointed: May 2021
- Games in charge: 15
- Win ratio: 33%
Recent form…
Port Vale
The Valiants recent fine form ended with a dramatic 4-3 loss to Sutton United last week. It ended a run of five straight wins in League and Cup.
Form:
L-W-W-W-W
Top scorer:
Jamie Proctor (6)
The opposition
Barrow’s League form has picked up recently after a patchy run. The side have won two of their last three games and drew at home to Leyton Orient in their last match.
Form:
D-W-W-D-L
Top scorer:
Ollie Banks (4)
Connections
Port Vale defender Dan Jones spent two years as a Barrow player making 78 appearances and scoring four times. His form earned him a move to Salford City in 2019 and he joined the Valiants in the summer. The defender has been a big success this season after rapidly becoming a fans’ favourite.
Other players to appear for both sides in recent seasons include strikers Scott Quigley, Dior Angus and Richie Bennett as well as midfielder Lewis Hardcastle.
Vintage connection
Goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson was signed from Barrow in 2021. He made 81 appearances during a two year spell before he left after rejecting a new contract. He later appeared for Burton and also rather bizarrely had a spell as a professional wrestler. Tomlinson made 23 appearances for Barrow before his move to Burslem.
He finished his playing career in 2017 after making 167 appearances for five sides.
From the archives
Well, we couldn’t leave this goal from last season out…
Potted history
Founded in 1901, Barrow have played at Holker Street since 1909. Their first spell in the Football League lasted from 1921 until 1972. They rejoined in 2020 after finishing as the National League Champions.
They have won one promotion as a League club as well as winning the FA Trophy twice.
Were you paying attention?
Here’s a quick quiz on the opponents:
- Who scored both Vale goals in the last fixture?
- Who is the current Barrow manager?
- When were Barrow founded?
- At what ground do Barrow play?
Quiz answers (no cheating):
- Tom Conlon
- Mark Cooper
- 1901
- Holker Street