Shrewsbury Town v Port Vale preview – can Vale find form after their break?
After the International break, it’s back to League action for Andy Crosby’s Valiants as they pay a visit to a similarly out of form Shrewsbury Town outfit. Will either side break out of their current rut? Here’s our preview…
MATCH PREVIEW
Shrewsbury Town v Port Vale: Saturday November 25th, New Meadow, League One, 3pm.
PREAMBLE
It’s been a long break for the Valiants as this is their first game since 14th November. Will the break give under pressure Andy Crosby some breathing space and have allowed some key performers to return from injury?
Finally, there’s an event going on that’s more important than a mere game of football as Shrewsbury Town will hold a minute’s applause in memory of the four Shrewsbury-based teenagers whop tragically lost their lives last weekend.
TEAM NEWS
The Valiants will be without two of their loanees – Ollie Arblaster is suspended after his red card against Lincoln City while Josh Thomas was injured while on Wales U21 International duty. Youngster Rhys Walters, impressive in the FA Cup replay win over Burton Albion is a possible replacement for Arblaster.
Uche Ikpeazu is expected to start upfront again with Ryan Loft on the bench. The likes of James Wilson, Conor Grant, Mitch Clark, Alex Iacovitti, Kofi Balmer and Dan Jones all remain sidelined with injury.
OPPOSITION
The home side are sitting in sixteenth place, one above the Valiants but suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Blackpool in their last League game. Shrewsbury’s form is similar to the Vale with Town recording just one win in their last five games.
MAN IN CHARGE
Former Luton Town, West Ham and Portsmouth midfielder Matt Taylor took over as Shrews boss in June 2023. Taylor has previous managerial experience after a spell with Walsall. His record with Shrewsbury stands at a 34% win ratio from 23 games in charge.
PAST MEETINGS
The two sides first met in 1958 when it ended in a 2-0 away defeat to the Valiants.
The last game between the two sides was last season when a dramatic encounter finished 3-2 to Shrewsbury. Dennis Politic and Jamie Proctor were the Vale scorers that day.
Vale fared better in the other two fixtures that season. The Valiants won a Football League Trophy game 4-0 thanks to a Dennis Politic hat-trick and won the League game at Vale Park thanks to two goals from Ellis Harrison.
BRIEF HISTORY
The club was founded in 1886 and after a period in non-league they joined the Football League in 1950. They suffered relegation out of the League in 2003 only to regain it in 2004. The club has reached the semi-finals of the Football League cup as well as winning the Welsh Cup on six occasions.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
A few images from a vintage 1968 Shrewsbury Town v Port Vale programme…
PLAYED FOR BOTH
There could be a reunion for left wingback Mal Benning who departed Vale Park in the summer. Benning spent two years with the Valiants and etched his name into Vale folklore with a stunning third goal in the 3-0 Wembley play-off final win over Mansfield Town in 2022.
Other players to appear for both clubs in recent years include Kieran Kennedy, Rekeil Pyke and goalkeeper Chris Neal.
OVERALL RECORD
19 Port Vale wins
18 draws
21 Port Vale losses
THE QUIZ
Our now traditional match preview quiz. How many will you get. Answers below (no cheating!)…
- Who is the current Shrewsbury Town manager?
- When were the club formed?
- What was the score the last time the two sides met?
- Which former Vale wingback could be in the Shrews side?
JOIN THE DEBATE
Our dedicated match thread on the forum is the place to go to discuss the match before, during and after the action. View the thoughts of fellow fans and add your comments…
GO'ARN THE VALE!
Quiz answers:
- Matt Taylor
- 1886
- Shrewsbury Town 3-2 Port Vale
- Mal Benning
