Can Ben Garrity Help Fire Vale to the Championship?
Ben Garrity has been in fine form for Port Vale in the early weeks of the 2023-24 EFL League One season. Vale could be a dark horse in the race for promotion to the EFL Championship this term, and Garrity has a huge role to play at Vale Park.
The Championship Dream
Port Vale are dreaming of the Championship after making a solid start to the season. The second tier is packed full of top teams these days, and the Valiants would love to strut their stuff against the best in the Championship next season. This year’s promotion battle in the second division will be a fascinating watch, with English Championship betting odds already available. Leicester City are the favourites at 3/10 after making a blistering start under new boss Enzo Maresca.
The battle for promotion from EFL League One will also be entertaining. Port Vale could be in the mix this season after a good start to the campaign. With the likes of Portsmouth, Bolton Wanderers, and Barnsley also pushing for promotion, getting out of the third tier will not be easy. Still, Vale will fancy their chances of securing a top-six spot if they can remain consistent.
🚙 | It’s our longest trip of the season this weekend, who’s joining us at Fratton Park? #PVFC | #SVA pic.twitter.com/jGSV28kmA1
— Port Vale FC (@OfficialPVFC) October 6, 2023
After an average season in the third tier last time around, Port Vale could be ready for a promotion push this year. They have had a few iffy results of late, but Andy Crosby will be pleased with his team’s start.
Garrity Firing on All Cylinders
Garrity made the switch to Vale Park from Blackpool a couple of years ago. He had previously been on loan at Oldham Athletic, netting just two goals for the Latics in the 2020-21 season.
He had a memorable first year with Vale, scoring 12 EFL League Two goals and helping the club to promotion via the play-offs. However, the 2022-23 season was a struggle, with the strike against Burton Albion in August 2022 proving to be the only goal of his campaign.
Garrity has been given a new lease of life under Crosby this season, and the No. 8 has flourished in the early weeks of the campaign. Garrity opened his account by scoring the only goal of the game against Reading in August and has not looked back.
Post-Match
Andy Crosby on Port Vale’s Defeat to Bolton📰 » https://t.co/zh31Kddf8G#BWFC #PVFC pic.twitter.com/QaoUKPORST
— Burnden Aces (@BurndenAces) October 2, 2023
September was the best month of Garrity’s professional career, as the midfielder netted in four successive league and cup matches. In League One, Garrity scored against Northampton Town, Burton, and Cambridge United. He was also on target in the Football League Trophy victory over Crewe Alexandra.
Garrity has already put last year behind him and is repaying his manager’s faith with goals. He was named Port Vale’s Player of the Year in the promotion-winning 2021-22 campaign, and he is starting to rekindle that form.
The Valiants will need Garrity & Co. to be consistent if they are to gate-crash the top-six party this season. The signs have been positive so far, and Crosby’s troops will quietly go about their business in League One this term.