Port Vale v Newport County preview – pretty much win or bust for automatic promotion hopes
Port Vale vNewport County preview – it goes without saying that the Valiants really need a win to return to the automatic promotion places. Who will prevail? Here’s our preview…
Match details
Details:
Port Vale v Newport County
League Two
Vale Park Stadium
Monday May 2nd, 2022, 3pm
Last time we met?
Dan Jones was dismissed as the Valiants lost 2-1 at Rodney Parade earlier this season
Overall record:
1 Vale win, 3 draws and 4 defeats
Stats against the old Newport County side:
19 Vale wins, 11 draws and 9 defeats
Valiants team news
Interim manager Andy Crosby will be keen to have as strong a squad as possible to pick from and hopefully that will include fit again Tom Pett (pictured) who fulfils the crucial holding role in midfield. The longer than usual break between gamesmay have aided Pett in his recovery from injury.
It’s unlikely that Crosby will deviate too far from the tried and trusted 3-5-2 formation but even so there is room for tinkering. Crosby may be tempted to recall Chris Hussey for Mal Benning on the left while (less likely) there’s also a chance of a start for James Gibbons on the right.
The Valiants clearly will have to go for broke if needs be so it’s likely to be an attacking bench with the likes of David Amoo, Kian Harratt and Ryan Edmondson all options to come on and add a goal threat if needed.
Bin the boos – back the boys
OVF recently published this appeal for supporters to get behind the team as the Valiants approach the crucial final stages of the season.
Opposition team news
The visitors are without Robbie Willmott who is sidelined with a knee problem, while James Clarke is a doubt after missing Newport’s most recent outing – a home loss to Colchester United.
Oliver Cooper returned from injury to feature as a second-half substitute in the defeat to Colchester United, and the Swansea City loanee is expected to be on the bench on Monday.
Man in charge: James Rowberry
- Age: 36
- Games in charge: 33
- Win ratio: 42%
Appointed in October 2021, former Cardiff City coach Rowberry took over from Michael Flynn. He was born in Newport.
Recent form…
Port Vale
Vale’s fine recent form came apart with consecutive defeats to Bristol Rovers and Walsall. They will be keen to make amends.
Form (all competitions):
Top scorer (all competitions):
Proctor (13)
The opposition
Newport’s form has fallen flat in recent games with five losses in their last five games which has seen them miss out on the play-offs.
Form (all competitions) :
Top scorer (all competitions):
Telford (26)
Connections
There are no players in either squad who have played for both teams. However, there have been a fair number of players in recent years. The list includes:
Midfielder Sam Foley, who spent three years at Newport County between 2009 and 2012 before joining the Valiants for a two-year spell between 2015 and 2017.
Winger Harry McKirdy spent a disappointing spell with the Valiants last season. He also played for Newport during a loan spell in 2019.
Defender Kyle Howkins had two loan spells with the Valiants and also had a permanent spell with Newport between 2019 and 2021.
Cardiff City striker Mark Harris has had loan spells with both clubs as has former Crystal Palace defender Ryan Inniss.
From the archives
Newport County were the opponents on the opening day of the Vale Park stadium back in 1950. Pictured is the songsheet for supporters which was provided on the night. The game took place on the 24th August 1950 and Walter Aveyard scored the winner as the Valiants won 1-0.
You can read more about the history of the Vale Park stadium including its construction in our dedicated section
Potted history
The club was formed in 1912 and became founder members of the Football League Third Division in 1920. They reached the UEFA Cup quarter-finals in 1981 but financial problems saw the club go out of business in 1989. The club reformed and reached the Conference in 2010 and then returned to the Football League in 2012.
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 Newport County manager?
- When were Newport formed?
- In which year did they return to the Football League?
Quiz answers (no cheating):
- Newport 2-1 Port Vale
- James Rowberry
- 1912
- 2012