Port Vale v Cheltenham Town preview – will new faces feature for Valiants?
Port Vale v Cheltenham Town preview – it’s been a busy end of the transfer window for Port Vale – will any new faces feature against the Robins?
Match Info
Venue: Vale Park stadium | Date: 3rd September 2022, 3pm | Competition: League One
Predict the score
Team news
So, what team will Darrell Clarke pick? There’s a few options for him ahead of this game.
Firstly, who will partner Ellis Harrison upfront? A bold choice would be Dennis Politic, another possibility is Harrison’s former Fleetwood partner Dan Butterworth, there’s also the pace of Mipu Odubeko, while the conservative option would be to continue with Ben Garrity.
There’s a few choices to be made elsewhere too. Sam Robinson put in a good performance in the Football League Trophy win in midweek, but will it be enough to earn a squad place? Youngster Tommy McDermott also impressed – will he get a place too? With Vale’s squad numbers, there are bound to be some unhappy players on Saturday.
Cheltenham completed two transfer deadline day signings ahead of this game – James Olayinka joined from Arsenal, and Ryan Broom returned after joining from Peterborough United.
Man in charge
43 year-old Wade Elliott was named as head coach in June. His record stands at two wins from eight games in charge.
Familiar faces
Striker George Lloyd had a truncated loan spell with the Valiants last season after he picked up a stomach injury. The youngster has been in and around the Cheltenham squad this season and could feature against his former club. The 22 year-old has made six appearances without scoring so far this campaign.
There’s also former Vale defender Charlie Raglan who could line up in the visitor’s defence.
Face from the past
Goalkeeper Scott Brown had notable spells with both clubs. Brown made almost 300 appearances with Town and won promotion, while he made almost 150 appearances for Vale and won player of the year in 2019.
Through the years…
The two sides first met in 2002 when it finished in a 1-0 away victory for the Valiants thanks to a winner from striker Tony Naylor. The Vale are unbeaten in their last five home games against the Robins.
Last time we met…
It finished in a dramatic 3-2 loss for the Valiants back in 2021. Alex Hurst and loanee Will Swann scored the goals for the Vale.
Overall record
8 Port Vale wins | 8 draws | 7 Port Vale losses
From the archives
Images from a 2-2 draw at Vale Park back in 2018.
A brief history of…
Cheltenham Town were formed in 1887 but they didn’t reach the Football League until 1999 when they were promoted from the Conference. They were relegated back to the National League in 2015 only to return in 2016.
Were you paying attention?
Our traditional quiz…
- Who is the current Cheltenham head coach?
- What was the score the last time the two teams met?
- In which year were the club formed?
- When did they return to the Football League?
Answers below (no cheating)…
- Wade Elliott
- Cheltenham Town 3-2 Port Vale
- 1887
- 2016