Port Vale v Northampton Town preview – will Valiants continue good run and down Town?

Port Vale take on promoted Northampton Town at Vale Park in their latest League game. How will the in-form Valiants fare?

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Venue: Vale Park stadium | Date: 16th September2023, 3pm | Competition: League One

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Preamble

After International call-ups, the Valiants had a rare weekend break and perhaps a chance to recharge their batteries following an excellent start to the season. It was great to see defender Dan Jones, hospitalised earlier in the season, returning to training during that spell.

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Port Vale team news

As far as we know, Vale’s squad is pretty close to full strength right now. In defence Kofi Balmer made his first appearance of the season in the Football League Trophy game versus Crewe while Dan Jones has returned to training. In midfield only former skipper Tom Conlon is missing while there is also competition upfront. So, it’s probably a welcome selection quandary for Andy Crosby as he has to decide who misses out.

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Opposition team news

Manager Jon Brady has given a positive injury update for his squad this week. Ben Fox and Lee Burge are both back in training and come into contention. However, the game comes too soon for Ryan Haynes. Also missing out will be Will Hondermarck and Ali Koiki.

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Man in charge

48 year-old Jon Brady stepped down as Brackley Town manager to join the Northampton coaching staff in 2016. Following the sacking of Keith Curle he was given the job of caretaker manager before being appointed permanently in 2021. His record stands at 134 games, a win ratio of 40% and a promotion to League One last season.

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Familiar faces

There are no players in either squad who have played for the opposition. However, over the years the likes of striker Marc Richards, midfielder Ian Taylor, midfielder Sam Foley (pictured) and striker JJ Hooper all played for both sides.

We also shouldn’t forget the late Lee Collins who served both clubs with distinction.

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Through the years…

The two sides first met back in 1938 when the first game ended in a 2-0 win for Northampton. Vale’s first goalscorer against Northampton was Colin Lynam who netted in a 1-1 draw in 1946. It took Vale until 1948 to get their first win – a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Alf Bellis. The Valiants are unbeaten in their last three home games against Town. The last Vale scorer against Northampton was David Worrall, who netted in a 1-0 away win back in 2020.

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Last time we met…

It ended in a rather drab 0-0 draw back in February 2022. It was played in front of 5,079 fans at Vale Park. Vale’s line-up that day included loanees Ryan Edmondson, Kian Harratt and goalkeeper Tomas Holy.

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Overall record

22 Port Vale wins | 22 draws | 30 Port Vale losses

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From the archive

We’ve had a couple of memorable games against Northampton during our promotion seasons. The 2013 game is an obvious choice so being contrary we’ve chosen this game from the 1982-83 season instead. John McGrath’s Vale had already clinched promotion so a packed Vale Park celebrated the team going up to Division Three. This writer is somewhere in there…

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A brief history of…

Founded in 1897, the club competed in on-league before being admitted into the Football League in 1920. They spent the next 38 years in Division Three before three promotions under Dave Bowen took them into the First Division. However, after one season they were promptly relegated down to Division Four. They returned to League One after promotion last season.

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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:

Northampton Town (H) forum match thread

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