Salford City v Port Vale preview – can Valiants boost promotion hopes with a win on the road?
Salford City v Port Vale preview: after an honourable draw against leaders Forest Green, Darrell Clarke’s side will be looking to build on that result at Salford. Who will prevail? Here’s our preview…
Match details
Details:
Salford City v Port Vale
League Two
Moor Lane, currently known as the Peninsula Stadium
Saturday February 5th, 2022, 3pm
Last time we met?
It was only a couple of weeks ago that the two sides met at Vale Park where the Valiants suffered a 1-0 home loss thanks to a second-half winner from Tom Elliott.
Overall record:
1 Vale wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats.
Pre-match press conferences
Midfielder Tom Pett is feeling confident
Manager Darrell Clarke’s pre-match thoughts
Valiants team news
Will we see any changes after the battling 1-1 home draw against Forest Green Rovers? It’s unlikely unless Darrell Clarke opts to rest any players through the relentless two games a week period.
It’s therefore likely that impressive loanee Ryan Edmondson will start upfront alongside former Salford man James Wilson. New signings Harry Charsley, Joel Cooper and Sammy Robinson may all have to be content with a place on the bench.
Captain Tom Conlon, defender James Gibbons, Jake Taylor and Jamie Proctor are all likely to remain sidelined with injury.
Opposition team news
Tom Elliott, the matchwinner during the game at Vale Park, has departed for Bradford City during the transfer window. However, replacement Matt Smith scored in the side’s last game – a 2-1 win at Carlisle.
However, Salford may be without the services of Matty Willock, Josh Morris, Luke Burgess and Ian Henderson due to injury issues.
Man in charge: Gary Bowyer
- Age: 50
- Games in charge: 35
- Win ratio: 37%
The experienced former Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool and Bradford boss finally decided not to manage a club beginning with “B” when he switched to Salford in May 2021.
Recent form…
Port Vale
It may not look that great on paper but a 1-0 win over strugglers Scunthorpe and a battling draw with Forest Green has been a major upturn in Vale’s 2022 form.
Form (all competitions):
Top scorer (all competitions):
Proctor, Wilson, Garrity (7)
The opposition
We don’t want to tempt fate but Salford’s form has had a steady pattern of win-lose. After victory over Carlisle in their last match is that an omen?
Form (all competitions) :
Top scorer (all competitions):
Thomas-Asante (8)
Current connection: James Wilson
35 Salford appearances / 10 goals
24 Port Vale appearances / 7 goals
With Dan Jones likely to be on the bench, the attention is likely to be on striker James Wilson. The locally born forward is back in the starting line-up after injury and is likely to start upfront alongside Ryan Edmondson. Wilson joined in the summer and is joint top-scorer this season with seven goals.
In the opposition ranks, defender Theo Vassell was signed earlier this season and could line up against the Valiants, where he spent a single season making 22 appearances.
Vintage connection: Chris Neal
72 Salford appearances
143 Port Vale appearances
Reliable goalkeeper Chris Neal played a key role in the club’s 2012-13 promotion campaign after signing from Shrewsbury Town in the summer. He remained at the club until 2016 when he moved on after the club had signed Jak Alnwick.
After spells with Fleetwood and Bury, Neal joined Salford City in 2018 and helped the club win the National League play-offs in 2019. Neal currently plays for AFC Fylde alongside former Valiants Luke Joyce and Danny Whitehead.
Potted history
The club was founded as Salford Central Mission in 1940 and changed its name to Salford Central in 1947.
The club’s nickname, “The Ammies”, stems from their name from the early 1960s to the early 1970s, Salford Amateurs. They changed their name again in 1989 to Salford City.
The club won promotion to the English Football League after winning the 2019 National League play-off final, under the stewardship of Graham Alexander.
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 Salford City manager?
- When were Salford City formed?
- Which striker has played for both sides?
Quiz answers (no cheating):
- Port Vale 0-1 Salford City
- Gary Bowyer
- 1940
- James Wilson