After taking a point from the fixture with Chesterfield, the Valiants now face another away fixture. How will the best away performers in the division fare? Here’s our preview.
The Vale perspective
Essentials
- Opposition: Colchester United
- Kick-off time: Tuesday January 28th, 7.45pm
- Venue: JobServe Community Stadium
- Competition: League Two
Form
Not too bad and better than it had been. At half-time on Saturday Vale were on course for three straight wins but in the end a draw was still a useful point. There’s a feeling the side are not quite firing on all cylinders yet but appear to be heading in the right direction. A point or three away from home will only help rebuild that optimism.
Fitness and availability
The Valiants look to have a near fully fit squad at the moment. Connor Ripley is still coming back from paternity leave and Mitch Clark received a red on Saturday but otherwise Vale look to have plenty of options. They include midfielder George Byers who came off the bench on Saturday.
Team selection
The heart says stick with roughly the same eleven that played at Chesterfield, the head says that Darren Moore is prone to make changes. Tom Sang is probably favourite to come in on the right and fit again George Byers is pushing for a place in central midfield.
The Vale team –
Possible formation: 3-4-1-2
Possible starting eleven: Amos – John, Smith, Hall – Sang, Byers, Croasdale, Headley – Garrity – Stockley, Tolaj
Trivia: should Nathan Smith play it will be his 411th game in Vale colours and take him up to seventh place, past Neil Aspin, in the all-time appearances list.
Viewing guide
This midweek match will be broadcast and shown on Sky+ to fans in the UK. Fans based overseas can also watch it via the PVTV service.
The opposition
Club factfile
- Team: Colchester United
- League: League Two
- Manager: Danny Cowley
Trivia:
Man in charge
46 year-old Danny Cowley was appointed as Colchester manager in January after the departure of Matthew Etherington. Cowley rose to fame with a highly successful spell at Lincoln City and has also managed Huddersfield Town and Portsmouth. His record at Colchester is fourteen wins from fifty five games in charge.
Form
Decent. Colchester have won two of their last three League games. However, their home form is perhaps patchy. Their last three fixtures at home have produced a win, a draw and a defeat.
Team news
Colchester have not reported any injury problems from their clash with Morecambe on Saturday, and head coach Cowley could therefore name an unchanged side for the clash.
One to watch
Jack Payne has had a productive campaign for the Essex club, scoring six goals and registering seven assists in 35 appearances in all competitions.
Connections
Current connections
Highly popular left-sided defender Connor Hall returned to Vale Park this summer after a spell at Colchester United. An influential signing from Harrogate Town in January 2022, Hall was a key member of the side which won promotion to League One that year.
Vintage connections
Over the years there have been a number of players to appear for both sides. The list includes forward Gavin Massey, goalkeeper Sam Hornby (pictured), defender Liam Chilvers, winger Luke Hannant and midfielder Doug Loft.
Featured connection
Striker Bobby Gough served both sides with distinction. He was one of manager Gordon Lee’s first signings as Port Vale manager and scored nine times during Vale’s 1969-70 promotion season. He left in 1974 after 229 appearances and 35 goals. In 1976 he joined Colchester United and earned promotion with them in 1977. He left the club in 1981 after eighty goals from 232 games.
History
Overall record
- Port Vale wins: 23
- Port Vale losses: 26
- Draws: 17
Trivia: Vale last won at Colchester in 2021 when Devante Rodney scored the winner in a 1-0 away victory.
Last time we met
It finished as a 1-1 draw at Vale Park in the earlier fixture. Defender Jesse Debrah had given the Valiants the lead on 55 minutes but the fans’ boo boy Samson Tovide equalised in the 90th minute.
Fixture history
The two clubs first met in 1951 when it ended as a honourable 1-1 draw. Alan Bennett scored the Vale’s first-ever competitive goal against Colchester. However, Vale had to wait until 1958 for their first victory, a run of five games. That win was a 2-0 home win thanks to goals from Freddie Steele and Jack Wilkinson. The two sides’ biggest wins came within a year of each other… Colchester winning 4-1 in 2003 and Vale 4-1 in 2004.
Memorable match
There was a dramatic 4-3 Vale victory back in 2003. In a topsy-turvy game, Vale took the lead through Sam Collins only for Colchester to hit back and take a 2-1 lead at the break. Second-half goals from Billy Paynter, Ian Armstrong and Steve McPhee (pictured) looked to have won it but a late third for the visitors meant a nervy final few minutes.
Archive
This website has been in operation for over 25 years and in that time has acquired lots of Port Vale related memorabilia (we have over 10,000 Port Vale images). Here’s some involving Colchester…
Brief history
The club was formed in 1937 and began playing in the Southern League before joining the Football League in 1950. One of their most memorable games was a 3-2 FA Cup victory over Leeds United in 1971. They left Layer Road after a 71 year stay and relocated to their new stadium in 2008.
Club stats
- Most appearances: Micky Cook, 700
- Most goals: Tony Adcock, 149
- Average attendance last season: 3,786
Trivia: The first goal to be scored at the Community stadium was from Aritz Aduriz for Bilbao during a friendly game.
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…
Colchester v Port Vale match thread
Predict the score
Quiz
Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz
Preview quiz
- Who is the current Colchester Utd manager?
- What was the score the last time the two teams played each other?
- When were Colchester formed?
The tough one: who is the club’s record goalscorer?
(answers below – no cheating)
Quiz answers
- Danny Cowley
- Port Vale 1-1 Colchester Utd
- 1937
The tough one: Tony Adcock
Images (c) onevalefan.co.uk except:
- Danny Cowley image – YouTube
How do you think the match will go for the Valiants? Share your thoughts and post a comment below.
Maybe Moore will change the forwards and have Tolaj and Curtis starting resting Stockley who would be brought on in second half probably to replace Curtis. Think Byers will make an appearance probably in the second half to ease him back into the team.
this is a toughie !we need 3 points but can only see a draw ! UTFV