Northampton Town v Port Vale preview – can Valiants build on a good Friday and provide more Easter cheer?

First half of the Easter double-header done, can the Valiants now make it a very happy Easter by picking up something at Northampton on Monday? Here’s hoping and here’s our preview…

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Preamble

The win over Bristol Rovers has given Vale’s survival hopes a big boost. It was capped by a stunning strike by seventeen year-old Baylee Dipepa and in his post-match interview, the local teenager seems to be keeping his feet on the ground. He may need to as the latest tabloid reports are linking the teenager with a move to Manchester United

The result leaves Vale potentially one point away from safety and supporters will be hoping that Darren Moore’s side can make it a hat-trick of good results.

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Team news

Starting XI

The win over Bristol Rovers was tempered by injuries picked up by James Wilson and Ben Garrity. Of the two Wilson’s looks the most serious but at least there’s an obvious replacement in teenager Baylee Dipepa. The teenager starting is likely to be the only change especially as the previously leaky Vale defence kept their second clean sheet in a row.

Injuries

Uche Ikpeazu made a welcome return on Friday which leaves just Mitch Clark and loanee Dan Gore as the long-term injured. However, Conor Grant missed the game on Friday with a knock so his availability is unknown.

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The opposition

Season so far

Northampton’s chances of a play-off push seem to be fading after some indifferent form. However, it’s been a season in which League One safety has been achieved with relative ease.

Last game

Town suffered a disappointing 1-0 away defeat at Reading on Friday.

Team news

Northampton have a number of injuries and manager Jon Brady told the local media he didn’t want to risk further problems by rushing them back. The Town boss said he has one eye on next season as he potentially gives youngsters and fringe players a run out instead.

Man in charge

49 year-old Jon Brady took over in 2021 and guided Northampton to promotion in 2023. He has a 39% win ratio from 172 games in charge.

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Connections

Current

There are no players on either side to have appeared for the opposition.

Recent

Players to appear for both sides in recent seasons include midfielder Sam Foley,  the late Lee Collins, striker Marc Richards and fellow forward JJ Hooper

Vintage

Lucien Boullemier is one of the more fascinating characters in Port Vale’s early history. The son of the French-born ceramic artist Antonin Boullemier, he originally moved to the Potteries to take up work as a pottery decorator. However, he was spotted in the local leagues by Stoke City for whom he made a handful of appearances. He then moved onto Port Vale in 1897  where he made over 150 appearances, with over a hundred coming in the Football League. After a short spell with Northampton Town in 1905 he returned to the Potteries for a brief second spell. Following retirement, he then produced an acclaimed range of pottery  called “Boumier Ware” (pictured below).

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History

Matches

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 match earlier this season ended in a 1-0 Vale win thanks to a Ben Garrity goal.

Brief History

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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Opinion and quiz

Want to discuss things before, during and after the game? Our forum’s dedicated match thread is the place to be. Share your views with fellow fans –

Northampton Town (A) match thread

Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz

• Who is the current Northampton Town manager?
• What was the score when the teams last met?
• In which year were Northampton Town formed?

(answers below – no cheating)

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Quiz answers

1. Jon Brady
2. Port Vale 1-0 Northampton Town
3. 1897

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