Port Vale v Northampton Town preview – Valiants face another test of promotion credentials
Port Vale v Northampton Town preview – after the win over Carlisle, Vale now face a tough test against promotion rivals Northampton. Who will prevail? Here’s our preview…
Match details
Details:
Port Vale v Northampton Town
League Two
Vale Park
Saturday February 12th, 2022, 3pm
Last time we met?
It was a disappointing start to the season as Lucas Covolan was sent-off as the Valiants lost 1-0 at Sixfields
Overall record:
22 Vale wins, 21 draws and 30 defeats.
Valiants team news
The win over Carlisle could mean that manager Darrell Clarke sticks with the same starting eleven especially as Brad Walker excelled in the back three and the classy James Wilson profited in a withdrawn role upfront. If so, it means that January signings Harry Charsley, Sam Robinson and Joel Cooper will all have to be content with a place on the bench.
The Valiants will probably still be missing the likes of Jamie Proctor, Tom Conlon, Jake Taylor and James Gibbons who are all recovering from injury.
Opposition team news
Jack Sowerby and Aaron McGowan remain doubtful for Saturday’s game but neither are expected to be out for the long-term. Bez Lubala lasted an hour in midweek on his first start for a year.
Man in charge: Jon Brady
- Age: 47
- Games in charge: 56
- Win ratio: 39%
The Australian managed Brackley Town for over 300 games before his appointment at Northampton in February 2021.
Recent form…
Port Vale
Vale look to have turned their fortunes back on track as they made it three games unbeaten after their away win over Carlisle Utd in midweek.
Form (all competitions):
Top scorer (all competitions):
Wilson (8)
The opposition
Northampton’s form is good and what’s noticeable is their defensive prowess. The side have conceded just three times in their last eight games.
Form (all competitions) :
Top scorer (all competitions):
Hoskins (7)
Current connection: Ryan Edmondson
21 Northampton appearances / 2 goals
6 Port Vale appearances / 1 goal
The young striker could start this game and face a club for whom he spent the second half of the 2020-21 season on loan. The spell at Northampton didn’t end well with Edmondson being dropped for “personal reasons” and the striker will be keen, no doubt, to make his mark on Saturday.
Other recent players to appear for both sides include JJ Hooper, Jak McCourt and Sam Foley.
From the archives
A selection of images from our match in 2018:
Potted history
Founded in 1897, the club entered the Football League in 1920. A remarkable period saw the club win three promotions in five years to reach the top-flight for the 1965-66 season. However, after a solitary season, the club were relegated and eventually returned to the Fourth Division in 1969 – setting an English football record of moving from the fourth tier to the first tier and back in only nine years.
Quick stats
- Most appearances: Tommy Fowler (522)
- Most goals: Jack English (143)
- Record buy: £165,000 for Josh Low
- Record sale: £475,000 for Mark Bunn
Were you paying attention?
Here’s a quick quiz on the opponents:
- What was the score the last time the two sides met?
- Who is the current Northampton manager?
- When were Northampton Town formed?
- Which current Vale player has also played for the opposition on loan?
Quiz answers (no cheating):
- Northampton Town 1-0 Port Vale
- Jon Brady
- 1897
- Ryan Edmondson