Swindon Town v Port Vale preview – can Vale get a good result in the first leg?
Swindon Town v Port Vale preview – there’s everything to play for as the sides meet for their first-leg of their play-off clash. Here’s our preview.
Match details
Details:
Swindon Town v Port Vale
League Two, play-off semi-final, first-leg
The County Ground
Sunday May 15th, 2022, 12 noon
Last time we met?
Lucas Covolan’s red card proved costly in the last meeting between the two sides as the Valiants lost 3-1 at Vale Park. However, the Valiants had previously managed a rare away victory with a 2-1 win at the County Ground thanks to two goals from Ben Garrity.
Overall record:
32 Vale wins, 20 draws and 36 defeats
Valiants team news
So, there’s been very little in terms of team news as Darrell Clarke and Andy Crosby prepare their team. That’s to be expected as the Valiants will probably want to play their cards close to their chest and not reveal any injury concerns.
We expect the starting line-up to be pretty close to the one that defeated Exeter City which would mean another start for James Gibbons. However, one change could be Mal Benning in for Chris Hussey who pulled up early in that game.
This match will also mark defender Nathan Smith’s 300th senior appearance for the side.
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
Goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott remains on the sidelines with injury with Lewis Ward deputising in goal. Otherwise Swindon look to have a fully fit squad to pick from.
Man in charge: Ben Garner
- Age: 41
- Games in charge: 54
- Win ratio: 50%
Appointed in the summer, the former Bristol Rovers manager has expertly guided Swindon into the play-offs despite much publicised financial issues before the season began.
Recent form…
Port Vale
Vale ended that poor run of three straight losses with that vital away win against Exeter which secured a play-off place.
Form (all competitions):
Top scorer (all competitions):
Proctor (13)
The opposition
Swindon reached the play-offs after a run of four straight wins which included a win over then league leaders Forest Green.
Form (all competitions) :
Top scorer (all competitions):
McKirdy (21)
Connections
A lot of attention will land on Harry McKirdy after an impressive season for the Robins. McKirdy’s stay in Burslem was less productive with the winger excluded from the Vale squad at one stage. After just one season at Vale Park, he was released in the summer of 2021.
However, he has completely turned his form around at the County Ground and comes to Vale Park after scoring twenty one times so far this season.
From the archives
Footage of the 1989 play-off semi-final against Preston North End from our YouTube channel:
Potted history
Founded as Swindon AFC in 1879, the club became Spartans the next year, before finally settling on the name Swindon Town in 1883. They were elected into the Football League in 1920 after considerable success in the Southern League. They won the League Cup in 1969 and earned promotion to the top-flight in 1993 although they lasted a solitary season in the Premier League. They won promotion to League Two in 2020 before being relegated back to League Two in 2021.
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 Swindon Town manager?
- When were Swindon Town formed?
- An easy one, which former Vale forward plays for Swindon?
Quiz answers (no cheating):
- Port Vale 1-3 Swindon Town
- Ben Garner
- 1879
- Harry McKirdy