Port Vale v Morecambe preview – can Valiants impress at home for a second time?

The Valiants finally kicked into form with their strong win over MK Dons. Can they do it again at home to Morecambe? Here’s our preview…

This preview was updated on Saturday after changes to the viewing guide section. It was amended to reflect that this game is available to UK fans with a Sky Sports+ subscription. 

The Vale perspective

Overview

Concerns about Vale’s spluttering recent form were at least partially addressed by the strong display against MK Dons. However, with things so tight at the top of the table it’s crucial that Vale build on that display.

Fitness

The return of skipper Ben Garrity has given the club a massive boost. Garrity came off the bench to score on Saturday adn could be in contention to start this weekend. It appears that Vale otherwise have a fully fit squad to select from.

Team selection

There were wholesale changes last Saturday but Darren Moore may be tempted to bring skipper Ben Garrity into his starting eleven. If he does the question will be where Garrity plays and what the formation will be. Garrity’s best position is as an attacking midfielder but with front three Curtis, Stockley and Tolaj all performing well, could Garrity be slotted into a more defensive role instead?

Viewing guide

Due to the International break, this game is available for UK fans via Sky Sports+. Fans based overseas can watch it via the PVTV service.

The opposition

Man in charge

Derek Adams was once mentioned as one of the names in the frame when Vale were looking to replace John Askey. He’s now back in his third spell as Morecambe manager. Appointed in June, his win ratio during this third stint is 26%. Overall, he has been in charge of over 200 games for Morecambe.

Form

Poor. Morecambe have just one win from their last six games. Their last away win was way back on Boxing Day when they won 1-0 at Carlisle United. Morecambe currently stand in 23rd place in the table.

Connections

Current connection

The Vale may come up against former loanee Rhys Williams, who is currently on loan at Morecambe from Liverpool. Williams had a dreadful time at Vale Park with his loan spell cut short through injury before he played a game. In contrast, he has been a regular for Morecambe with 33 appearances so far.

Vintage connections

There are a number of players to appear for both sides in recent years with the list including – midfielder Jake Taylor, defender Zak Mills, on loan midfielder Jenson Weir, winger Chris Shuker, goalkeeper Chris Neal and striker AJ Leitch-Smith.

Featured connection

Forward Anton Forrester had brief spells with both clubs. The striker joined Morecambe on loan from Blackburn Rovers in 2015 making three appearances without scoring. He then joined Vale after a successful trial in 2016. He made 41 appearances for the Valiants, scoring five times before being released in 2018. He last played for non-league Radcliffe in 2020.

History

Last time we met

The Valiants won 1-0 at Morecambe thanks to an 83rd minute winner from midfielder Ethan Chislett. It was played in front of a crowd of 4,150.

Fixture history

The two sides first met in a 2007 Football League Trophy game which finished in shootout win for Morecambe. The somewhat unlikely scorer of Vale’s first-ever goal against Morecambe is defender Justin Miller with Luke Rodgers scoring Vale’s second as it finished 2-2 in normal time.

Memorable match

In 2011, Port Vale rattled in seven goals against Morecambe seemingly out of nowhere. The result came thanks to hat-tricks from both Louis Dodds and Justin Richards with Marc Richards scoring another as the goalfest ended 7-2.  It was real outlier of a match as Vale had not scored more than two goals in a match in that year prior to the result.

Archive

This website has been around for nearly 30 years so has a pretty extensive archive. Here are some images from a game in 2019 when there was a tribute to goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who had just passed away and also protests against owner Norman Smurthwaite were riding high… as for the game, Tom Pope missed a penalty as Vale lost 0-1.

Brief history

Morecambe FC was founded in 1920. They reached the Conference in 1995. Having been beaten in the 2003 and 2006 play-off semi-finals, Sammy McIlroy led the club to promotion into the Football League with victory in the 2007 play-off Final. In 2021 they reached the 2021 League Two play-off Final and achieved a first promotion to League One.

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 Morecambe match thread

Predict the score

Quiz

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

(answers below – no cheating)

Quiz answers

• Derek Adams
• Morecambe 0-1 Port Vale
• 1920

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