Harrogate v Port Vale preview – can Valiants keep good run going?

It’s back on the road for the Valiants as they look to stretch their run to ten games unbeaten. Here’s our preview…

The Vale perspective

Form

About as good as it gets. Vale could make it ten unbeaten on Tuesday evening and potentially further stretch their lead at the top of the table. Vale could also make it five consecutive away games unbeaten if they avoid defeat.

Fitness

There was a boost for the squad to see Benicio back in action off the bench on Saturday. However, Sam Hart and Kyle John are still missing. Conor Grant is close to a return while Mitch Clark and Hart are both back in training.

Team selection

It was a sign of Vale’s strength in depth that striker Ruari Paton didn’t even make the squad on Saturday. Darren Moore has a habit of ringing the changes but we don’t expect to see too many.

One option could see Ronan Curtis come in for Ethan Chislett to offer impressive youngster Jack Shorrock more support on the left.

Viewing guide

This midweek game is available on Sky+ in the UK with fans unable to make the match able to watch it live. Fans based overseas can watch it via the PVTV service.

The opposition

Man in charge

Simon Weaver probably needs little introduction as he is currently the longest serving manager in the country. Weaver took over way back in 2009 and is now approaching 900 games in charge of the side, his only managerial appointment.

Form

Not great. Harrogate have won just one of their last five games and currently stand in fourteenth place in League Two. They have at least won three of their last four games at home.

Squad and signings

Summer signings include former Sunderland winger Ellis Taylor, Maidenhead defender Zico Asare and former QPR winger Stephen Duke-McKenna. Notable departures were defender Rod McDonald and forward Abraham Odoh.

Connections

Current connections

Defender Connor Hall will face one of his former sides. Arguably one of the key signings of the 2021-22 promotion season, Hall was snapped up from Harrogate in January of that year. He subsequently moved on to Colchester before returning to Vale in the summer. Hall made 110 appearances for Harrogate scoring six times. Vale defender Dan Jones, currently on loan at Gateshead had a loan spell at Harrogate while a Salford player.

Vintage connections

Over the years there have been a number of players to appear for both sides. The list of recent players includes defenders Leon Legge, Callum Howe and John McCombe plus midfielder Scott Brown.

Featured connection

Defensive midfielder Anthony Griffith had contrasting spells with both clubs. He joined the Valiants in 2008 and amassed 237 appearances during three spells with the club. He was also named player of the year and club captain in addition to winning International caps with Montserrat. His spell at Harrogate was far less memorable. Joining the club after leaving Vale he made just the one appearance before joining Shrewsbury. It emerged that Griffith had a clause allowing him to return to professional football if a club made an approach.

History

Last time we met

Loanee Ryan Edmondson was on target as it ended in a 1-1 draw at Harrogate in the 2021-22 season. Edmondson equalised in the 68th minute after Alex Pattison had given the home side the lead. James Wilson would also hit the bar in the final minute as the Valiants took a point from the game.

Fixture history

The two clubs first met in 2020 when the first game ended in a 0-0 draw. The return fixture resulted in a 2-0 away win for Vale with David Worrall scoring Vale’s first goal against Town. Kurtis Guthrie netted the other – his only goal in a Vale shirt.

Memorable match

There are slim pickings so we’ll opt for Vale’s 2-0 home win over Harrogate in 2021. The Vale goalscorers were David Worrall and James Wilson while Jack Diamond was sent-off for the visitors.

Brief history

Formed in 1914, Harrogate had to wait until 1919 and the end of World War One to play their first fixture. They were disbanded in 1932 before reforming as the nattily named Harrogate Hotspurs in 1935. They changed their name to the more demur Harrogate Town in 1946. They won promotion to the National League in 2018 and earned promotion to the Football League through the play-offs in 2020.

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…

Harrogate v Port Vale match thread

Predict the score

Quiz

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

(answers below – no cheating)

Quiz answers

1. Simon Weaver
2. Connor Hall and Dan Jones
3. 1914

The tough one: 2,485

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