Bolton Wanderers v Port Vale preview – top versus bottom with Valiants approaching trapdoor

It’s sadly looking a matter of time before Port Vale’s relegation is sealed especially as they have to travel to Bolton who still have a chance of automatic promotion. Here’s our preview…

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Preamble

Any hope that Vale fans had of the club staying up looked to have been destroyed following the disappointing home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers in midweek. This match could also mark Nathan Smith’s 400th appearance for the club although that is unlikely to be a cause of celebration given the club’s circumstances.

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Team news

Starting XI

Manager Darren Moore has said that he expects midfielder Ethan Chislett to be fit but there are doubts over Baylee Dipepa and Tom Sang.  Moore also confirmed that James Plant has been ruled out of the game through injury. If Dipepa doesn’t make it then Ryan Loft and Uche Ikpeazu could well start again upfront while Gavin Massey seems the only available replacement for Sang with Plant ruled out.

Injuries

Defender Ben Lomax, missing from a number of squads has got a long-term injury, manager Darren Moore has confirmed. It means the youngster won’t feature until next season. Striker James Wilson is out for the season as is loanee Dan Gore while the same appears likely for defender Mitch Clark.

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The opposition

Season so far

Three points behind Derby County and with an inferior goal difference, Bolton look likely to have to try and progress through the play-offs – although a thumping victory over Vale will undoubtedly help boost their goal difference.

Last game

A disappointing 2-2 home draw against Shrewsbury Town in midweek.

Meet some of the players

• Aaron Collins joined from Bristol Rovers in January and has seven goals from 12 starts
• 28 year-old Northern Ireland International Dion Charles is the top-scorer with thirteen goals
• 25 year-old former Chelsea player Nathan Baxter should be in goal
• Former Stoke striker Cameron Jerome will be well-known to Vale fans

Meet the man in charge

Former Chesterfield and Barrow boss Ian Evatt has been in charge since 2020 and has won 112 of his 221 games in charge.

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Connections

Current

The Valiants sold defender Will Forrester to Bolton in the summer. The former Stoke City man has made fourteen League appearances this season. Vale midfielder Tom Sang began his career in the Bolton youth team but never made a senior appearance for the club.

Recent

Dennis Politic was signed on loan from Bolton in 2021, earning a reputation of a “supersub” during his spell in Burslem. In recent seasons, the likes of goalkeeper Rob Lainton, midfielder Harry Charsley and striker Jamie Proctor have played for both sides.

Featured

Lol Hamlett spent spells with both clubs as a player. He played for Wanderers between 1938 and 1949 in a spell disrupted by World War Two. He was as present at the Burnden Park disaster on 9 March 1946, where 33 spectators were sadly killed. He joined the Valiants in 1949 and made over a hundred appearances as a player. After retiring he then spent 25 years with Port Vale as a coach and trainer earning a well-deserved testimonial game in 1976.

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History

Matches

The first game between the two sides was in 1899 and Vale had to wait until 1988 to record their first competitive win. They obviously enjoyed it so much they repeated it again the same year. The last game at Vale Park ended in a 0-0 draw last season.

The last Vale win over Bolton came in 2020 but over the years wins have been few and far between with Vale recording just three in the 41 meetings between the sides. Ellis Harrison is the last Vale player to score against Wanderers which was three games ago.

Brief History

Formed as Christ Church Football Club in 1874, Bolton Wanderers adopted their current name in 1877 and were a founder member of the Football League in 1888. The period before and after WW1 is regarded as the club’s finest as they challenged in the top division. Over the years Wanderers have won four FA Cups and two League Cups.

Image: Bolton Wanderers Burnden Park terraces © Copyright Steve Daniels and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Trivia time

In an extraordinary change of fortunes, Vale recorded their first win in fifteen fixtures against Bolton with a thumping 6-3 away win in 2020. The Valiants were 5-1 up after 50 minutes. The goals came from Manny Oyeleke, Leon Legge, Tom Conlon, Cristian Montano, David Worrall and Nathan Smith.

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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 –

Bolton Wanderers (A) match thread

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

• Who is the current Bolton Wanderers manager?
• Which Vale defender was sold to Bolton in the summer?
• How many competitive games have Vale won against Bolton?
• When was the club former?

(answers below – no cheating)

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Quiz answers

1. Ian Evatt
2. Will Forrester
3. Three
4. 1874