Port Vale v Chesterfield preview – which Valiants team will turn up for heavyweight clash?

Will the Valiants carry on the form that saw them hit four at Chesterfield? Or the team that shipped four at Barrow? Here’s our preview of their next match.

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The Vale perspective

Form

So, which Vale team will turn up? The unit that put four past Newport in South Wales, or the one which shipped four against Barrow? The form of Darren Moore’s side is patchy to say the least and some consistency would be welcome.

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Fitness

Defenders Sam Hart, Mitch Clark, Connor Grant and Dan Jones all remain sidelined. Diamond Edwards is also unlikely to be involved as Vale manage his fitness closely.

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Team selection

It’s possible that Darren Moore will keep faith with the same starting eleven that won at Newport. The main issue will be whether the impressive Benicio, replaced around the hour mark on Saturday, is fit to start or not.

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Viewing guide

This match has now been selected by Sky+ and it is not available to fans in the UK. However, fans based overseas can watch it via the PVTV service.

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The opposition

Man in charge

Vastly experienced 57 year-old Paul Cook has managed over 800 games for seven clubs and this is his second spell in charge of Chesterfield. Appointed in 2022, he steered them to promotion to the Football League in 2024. His record during this spell is 73 wins from 134 games in charge.

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Form

Like the Valiants, Chesterfield’s form has been hit and miss so far. A comprehensive 5-0 away win at Crewe was followed by a draw at home against Salford and a loss at Gillingham. Last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Grimsby therefore came as a welcome relief.

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Summer signings

The Spireites added two loanees (Everton defender Jenson Metcalf and Newcastle keeper Max Thompson) at the end of the transfer window. They joined three more loanees in Fulham full-back Devan Tanton, Blackburn winger Dilan Markanday and Fulham defender Harvey Araujo. The club’s summer signings were generally proven and experienced – they included striker Paddy Madden, full-back Lewis Gordon and centre-backs Laurence Maguire and Chey Dunkley. During a busy summer, they also added right-back Vontae Daley-Campbell and Macclesfield forward Kane Drummond.

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Connections

Current connections

The Valiants are likely to come up against their former goalkeeper Ryan Boot who has started all of the League games this season for the visitors. Now 29, Boot joined Chesterfield in 2023 after five years with Solihull Moors. He graduated through the youth ranks at Vale Park making his debut in 2013 and was released in 2018 after 29 senior appearances.

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Vintage connections

Over the years there have been a number of players to feature for both clubs. The list includes goalkeeper Lucas Covolan, defender Tom Anderson, forward Louis Dodds, defender Charlie Raglan and midfielder Manny Oyeleke.

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Featured connection

Midfielder Sam Morsy graduated through the Vale youth ranks and after turning professional made 78 appearances, scoring four goals at Vale Park. He left after a disagreement with manager Micky Adams and further boosted his reputation with a two year stint at Chesterfield. Sold to Wigan he is (at time of writing) playing for Ipswich Town in the Premier League.

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History

Last time we met

The Valiants overcame a Danny Pugh red card to beat the Spireites 2-1 at Vale Park back in 2017. Pugh had given Vale the lead before seeing red on 45 minutes. Louis Reed equalised for the visitors before Ben Whitfield scored the winner.

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Fixture history

The two clubs first met in 1899 with Vale recording a 4-0 away win in the first game between the two sides. It took place in Division Two on the 4th November. The Valiants were unbeaten in the first four fixtures between the two sides and didn’t lose a fixture until 1901.

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Recent memorable matches

There have been a number of high scoring games between the two sides. Vale notched up a 5-0 away win back in 2010 with Marc Richards scoring a hat-trick. They also won 5-2 in 2003 with midfielder Mark Boyd notching a double and were at it again in 1988 with a Darren Beckford hat-trick during a 5-0 win.

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Archive

Here’s an article on Port Vale’s record 9-1 win which took place against Chesterfield in 1932…

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Brief history

Established in 1866, Chesterfield, then known as Chesterfield Town, turned professional in 1892. The side joined the Football League in 1899. In 1915 the original side went into liquidation but it was revived in 1919 as Chesterfield Municipal. It changed its name to Chesterfield FC in 1920. In November 1958, England legend Gordon Banks made his professional debut for the club. In the 1996-97 season the club memorably reached the FA Cup semi-final.

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Opinion and quiz

Discuss the game

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…

Port Vale v Chesterfield match thread

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Predict the score

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Quiz

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

(answers below – no cheating)

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Quiz answers

1. Paul Cook
2. Port Vale 2-1 Chesterfield
3. Ryan Boot
4. 1866

The tough one: 539

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How do you think the match will go for the Valiants? Share your thoughts and post a comment below.