Carlisle Utd v Port Vale preview – More of the same? Can Vale start 2024 on a high?
It’s a long journey to start the year off but Vale fans will be hoping it won’t be in vain if the club can carry over their good form from the Blackpool win. Here’s our match preview…
PREAMBLE
- Opposition: Carlisle Utd
- Competition: League One
- Venue: Brunton Park stadium
- Date: 1st January, 3pm
Well, how about that for a close to 2023! Andy Crosby hands full debuts to a sixteen year-old and an eighteen year-old and the Valiants put in one of their best performances of the season on Friday. It was also helped by the partnership of Uche Ikpeazu and James Wilson so fingers crossed both feature in this one.
TEAM NEWS
Line-Up
Will Andy Crosby keep faith and retain youngsters Jack Shorrock (pictured) and Ben Lomax in his starting line-up? The odds are that he will, especially with Tom Sang and Gavin Massey both doubts. The key question remains whether Ikpeazu and Wilson are fit enough to play so soon after Friday. After their display against Blackpool, Vale fans will be hoping they are.
Injuries
Tom Sang picked up a knock over the festive period but it appears minor while Gavin Massey was ill and could be able to return. Long-term injured Mitch Clark and Dan Jones will likely miss out.
OPPONENTS
- League position: 24th
- Form: L-D-L-D-L
- Top-scorer: Jordan Gibson (7)
- Manager: Paul Simpson
Season so far
Promoted in the summer, it’s been a tough first-half of the season for Carlisle as they sit rock-bottom of the table. However, after new backers were unveiled it could be a busy January window for the club.
Last game
Carlisle lost 2-0 away at Wigan on Friday extending their winless run to seven games.
Man in charge
57 year-old Paul Simpson is in his second spell in charge having guided the club to promotion via the play-offs last season. This will be the 100th game of his second spell and he has a 34% win ratio.
ARCHIVE
Take a look at our Photo Essay feature showing winger Paul Smith in action against Carlisle United back in 1987
READ IT HERECONNECTIONS
Current
There could be four names known to Vale fans in the Carlisle line-up. Striker Ryan Edmondson (pictured) 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.
Former
There’s been several players to appear for both sides over the years. The list includes midfielder Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, winger Jeff Smith and striker Mark Cullen.
HISTORY
- Port Vale wins: 16
- Draws: 12
- Port Vale losses: 15
Matches
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. However, Vale ran out 1-0 winners earlier this season thanks to a goal from James Wilson.
Brief History
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.
Image: Ricky Miller appears to annoy no less than five Carlisle players during an encounter in 2018
Predict the score
And finally
Discuss
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…
Quiz time
- When were Carlisle formed?
- Who is their current manager?
- What was the score the last time we met?
Quiz Answers (no cheating)
- 1904
- Paul Simpson
- Port Vale 1-0 Carlisle Utd