Port Vale v Carlisle United preview – can Crosby’s team maintain good run?
Port Vale take on League One newcomers Carlisle United at Vale Park. Can they build on recent good away performances against Blackpool and Charlton? Here’s our preview…
Venue: Vale Park stadium | Date: 26th August 2023, 3pm | Competition: League One
Predict the score
Preamble
It’s been an excellent response by the Valiants after their opening day thrashing. They’ve performed well against much fancied Blackpool and Charlton Athletic away from Burslem. Now the question is – can they do it at home against Carlisle?
Away from the pitch, Vale continue to look to strengthen their squad and announced the loan signing of Spurs youngster Alfie Devine the day before the game.
Port Vale team news
Ethan Chislett received a lot of plaudits on Saturday after his goal and all-round display. However, the midfielder did have to leave the pitch after a heavy challenge so he may be a doubt for this game. There also remains injury doubts over Ellis Harrison and loanee Kofi Balmer while former captain Tom Conlon remains on the long-term injured list. There’s also the possibility of Mitch Clark returning to the starting eleven as right wingback.
Vale’s one to watch…
The loan signing of Alfie Devine has been warmly received. There’s a great deal of hype about a player who is currently Spurs’ youngest-ever goalscorer and the inevitable question is – how will he fare in League One? Vale fans could find out on Saturday afternoon…
Opposition team news
Carlisle have revamped their squad after their promotion. Leading the new arrivals was former Vale loanee Danny Butterworth. Also arriving were defenders Ben Barclay and Sam Lavelle, midfielder Dylan McGeouch, Irish striker Sean Maguire and Crystal Palace loanee Luke Plange. It could have been more but the Valiants reportedly beat the Cumbrians to the signing of Jason Lowe at the very last minute.
Carlisle’s one to watch…
Midfielder Owen Moxon has been the subject of much transfer speculation. The highly rated 25-year-old starred during the club’s promotion campaign and has been linked to the likes of Blackpool. He already has two goals in two appearances this season.
Man in charge
The well-travelled Paul Simpson is in his second spell as Carlisle boss and took the side to promotion via the play-offs last season. Simpson has managed over 500 games for a number of clubs. His stats for this spell are 75 games in charge with a 40% win ratio.
Familiar faces
There could be four names known to Vale fans in the Carlisle line-up. Striker Ryan Edmondson spent a spell on loan during Vale’s promotion season before joining Carlisle and enjoying a second, successive promotion to boot. Midfielder Callum Guy also spent a loan spell at Vale Park when on Derby County’s books while keeper Tomas Holy was loaned in from Ipswich. Finally, loanee Danny Butterworth, who had a spell with the Valiants last season has joined on a permanent basis from Blackburn Rovers.
Through the years…
The two sides first met during the 1929-30 season in a couple of encounters which Vale will have enjoyed. They won the first fixture 4-1 and followed it up with a 4-0 win at the Old Rec ground. Phil Griffiths (pictured) was the scorer of the first Vale goal against Carlisle. It took until 1964 for Vale to lose a home game against the Cumbrians. There’s less good news in recent years with Vale losing two out of the last four home games.
Last time we met…
The sides last met in February 2022 when it ended in an excellent 3-1 away win for Port Vale. The Valiants’ goals came from David Worrall, James Wilson and David Amoo. Owen Windsor scored a consolation for the home side.
Overall record
15 Port Vale wins | 12 draws | 15 Port Vale losses
From the archive
Highlights from our last meeting:
A brief history of…
Formed in 1904, Carlisle were elected into the Football League in 1928. The club have had one season in the top-flight (1974-75). Their rise to the top-flight was called “the greatest feat in the history of the game” by no less than Bill Shankly. Sadly the club was relegated out of the League in 2004 but they managed to return at the end of the next season.
Our traditional quiz…
- Who is the current Carlisle manager?
- What was the score the last time the two teams met?
- In which year were the club formed?
- Name the four former Valiants in the Carlisle squad…
Answers below (no cheating)…
Join the debate
Our forum is the place to be to discuss the game. Join the debate before, during and after kick-off and share your thoughts with fellow Vale fans. Just click on the link below:
Quiz answers
- Paul Simpson
- Carlisle Utd 1-3 Port Vale
- 1904
- Callum Guy, Ryan Edmondson, Tomas Holy and Danny Butterworth