Port Vale v Mansfield Town preview – a classic six pointer for the Valiants
Port Vale v Mansfield Town preview – the Valiants take on play-off rivals Mansfield at home on Tuesday evening. Who will prevail? Here’s our preview…
Match details
Details:
Port Vale v Mansfield Town
League Two
Vale Park Stadium
Tuesday March 15th, 2022, 7.45pm
Last time we met?
Captain Tom Conlon was on the mark as the Valiants earned a 1-1 away draw earlier this season.
Overall record:
22 Vale wins, 17 draws and 18 defeats.
Valiants team news
Former Mansfield man Aidan Stone looks set to continue in goal after Andy Crosby praised his performance against Crawley Town at the weekend. Stone was selected ahead of loanee Tomas Holy and now has a chance to stake a claim to be the club’s number one.
It’s likely to be the same Vale starting eleven as Saturday with Jamie Proctor partnering James Wilson upfront. Aaron Martin also impressed in the back three and he’s likely to start ahead of Brad Walker.
Defender Dan Jones, goalkeeper Lucas Covolan, captain Tom Conlon, defender James Gibbons and midfielder Jake Taylor all continue to be sidelined through injury.
Key men
It will be fascinating to witness how Ben Garrity and Matty Longstaff perform in the midfield. Garrity earned praise from Andy Crosby at the weekend after his double took him to ten goals. His energetic display also earned him the man of the match award as he played a key role in turning the result around after Crawley’s early goal.
Matty Longstaff also found the target as he scored in Mansfield’s 3-2 defeat to Tranmere Rovers. The 21 year-old looks to have a very bright future in the game. He’s now made five starts in the League for Town and will need to be carefully watched by the Valiants.
Opposition team news
Oli Hawkins returned from suspension on Friday and is set to continue in defence. Newcastle Utd loanee Matty Longstaff is set to play in midfield.
Man in charge: Nigel Clough
- Age: 55
- Games in charge: 79
- Win ratio: 44%
This is Clough’s fifth managerial spell, he was appointed in November 2020 and has over 1,300 games as a manager.
Recent form…
Port Vale
The comprehensive win over Crawley was much needed as the Valiants enter the crucial final stage of the season.
Form (all competitions):
Top scorer (all competitions):
Garrity (10)
The opposition
Mansfield’s stunning form over the New Year period has suffered a slight hiccup with just two wins in their last five games
Form (all competitions) :
Top scorer (all competitions):
Oates (9)
Current connections
At least two of Port Vale’s former Mansfield Town contingent are set to start on Tuesday evening. Aidan Stone will probably begin in goal while midfielder Harry Charsley is set for another start in midfield.
Many supporters expected Mal Benning to be an automatic choice in the starting eleven after his summer move but he is set to start on the bench with Chris Hussey preferred on the left flank.
Vintage connection
Forward Roy Chapman (pictured on the left) played for both sides with distinction. He managed a highly impressive 88 goals in 151 games for Mansfield between 1961 and 1965. The 1962-63 season was a particular highlight, Chapman netting 37 times as Town secured promotion.
The striker joined the Valiants in 1967 where he scored 37 times in 83 appearances. Chapman finished with 240 goals from 466 appearances. The father of former Stoke City striker Lee Chapman, Roy sadly passed away in 1983 aged just 49.
From the archives
Images from our 2-1 victory back in 2019…
Potted history
The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changing its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1902 and finally Mansfield Town in 1910. They were admitted to the Football League in 1931 before losing their League status in 2008. They spent five years in non-league before returning in 2013.
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 Mansfield Town manager?
- When were Mansfield formed?
- Which current Vale goalkeeper also played for Mansfield?
Quiz answers (no cheating):
- Mansfield Town 1-1 Port Vale
- Nigel Clough
- 1897
- Aidan Stone