The hard-fought win at Leyton Orient has given Vale hope but it’s crucial they follow it up with three points at home. Here’s our preview.
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: AFC Wimbledon
- Date: Tuesday 3rd February 7pm (note early kick-off)
- Competition: League One
- Viewing guide: Sky Sports in the UK, live on PVTV overseas
Talking points
Same again for Valiants?
Jon Brady said he wanted players who wanted to play for Port Vale and he certainly got that on Saturday. It may be a tough ask for the likes of inspirational skipper Ben Garrity but it could be the same starting eleven for this game.
Loanees could feature but it’s too soon for Gray
It’s been a revolving door for Vale during the January. But despite claims of Vale “giving up” on the season, Jon Brady needed to trim a bloated squad and although it’s early doors it does look like that has created a meaner and leaner Vale side. It remains to be seen whether that’s enough to keep the side up.
Of the new arrivals, it appears that loan duo Elijah Campbell and Martin Sherif are free to join the squad. However, Tyler Magloire is still building up match fitness and veteran Andre Gray won’t join the squad till next week – providing International clearance is given.
Known injury list
George Byers remains out till February.
Possible Vale line-up (4-4-2)
Gauci – John, Humphreys, C.Hall, Gordon – Croasdale, Ojo, Garrity – Archer, Brown, Waine
Ben Garrity – inspiring
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: AFC Wimbledon
- Manager: Johnnie Jackson
- Stadium: Plough Lane
Need to know
Meet the manager
43 year-old Johnnie Jackson was appointed in 2022 and has now managed more than 200 games for the Dons. His win ratio is 38%.
Recent form
Poor. After a strong first-half of the season, the wheels have come off somewhat in the second-half. Wimbledon have won just one of their last eleven League One games. Their last away win came on New Year’s Day when they defeated Leyton Orient 1-0.
Last match
Wimbledon lost 1-0 to Bolton Wanderers at the weekend. It means the side sit in seventeenth place in the League One table.
Manager Johnnie Jackson
Opposition history
Essentials
- Record appearance holder: Roy Law, 644
- Record goalscorer: Eddie Reynolds, 340
Over the years
Brief History
The original Wimbledon football club was formed 1889 and spend decades in non-league football. In the 1980’s they quickly rose to prominence after entering the Football League. They were promoted to the First Division in 1986, just four seasons after being in the Fourth Division. The ‘Crazy Gang’ won the FA Cup in 1989 but trouble was just around the corner. In 1991, the club left their Plough Lane stadium to groundshare and in 2001 the club announced the hugely controversial decision to relocate to Milton Keynes. The club was eventually renamed as MK Dons. The move (and the club) were rejected by the vast majority of supporters who set up a phoenix club, AFC Wimbledon. They progressed through the non-league to rejoin the Football League in 2011. The club returned to a newly built Plough Lane stadium in 2020.
Stadium
The reformed club began their journey back in the Football League at Kingsmeadow before returning to their spiritual home, Plough Lane in 2020. It has a 9,200 capacity. The ground has planning permission to be expanded to 20,000 spectators.
Plough Lane stadium
Archive
This site is thirty years old and has thousands of posts. Here are a couple to feature the opposition.
Head-to-head
How it stands
- Vale wins: 4
- Vale losses: 3
- Draws: 2
Stats against AFC Wimbledon only
Previous games
Fixture history
The two sides first met in 1978 when Wimbledon triumphed 1-0. The return fixture at Vale Park saw the opposite result with midfielder Kenny Beech the scorer of Vale’s first goal against the Dons. The “old” Wimbledon faced Vale ten times between 1978 and 1989. After their successful return as AFC Wimbledon, the sides have played each other nine times.
Last time we met
The Valiants claimed an away point thanks to a late equaliser by Devante Cole after former striker Antwoine Hackford had given the home side the lead.
Devante Cole – scorer in last meeting
Antwoine Hackford – played for both
Played for both
Player connections
The Valiants could face former loanee Antwoine Hackford who joined Wimbledon on a permanent basis in the summer. There’s also former Vale defender Ryan Johnson whose form has been such that he is now a full Ireland International. He will therefore be missing this match. Other players to appear for both clubs in recent years include midfielder Ethan Chislett and goalkeeper Nathan Broome.
Vintage connection
Oh come on, we know it’s obvious but we couldn’t really not have Robbie Earle in this segment. A club legend for both clubs, Earle started his career with the Valiants and propered under the management of (guess who) John Rudge. Earle won three promotions and formed a terrific partnership with Ray Walker in the Vale engineroom. Eventually, richer clubs came and Earle moved to Wimbledon for £775,000 where he made exactly 350 appearances in the top-flight. Earle also represented Jamaica in the World Cup finals.
Predict the score
Have your say
Discuss the game
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Join the debate:
The Vale Park stadium
Test your knowledge
Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz
Who is the current Wimbledon manager?
What the score the last time we met?
How many times have Vale beaten Wimbledon?
Which current Wimbledon striker had a spell with Vale?
What the score the last time we met?
How many times have Vale beaten Wimbledon?
Which current Wimbledon striker had a spell with Vale?
(answers right – no cheating)
Answers
Quiz answers
Johnnie Jackson
AFC Wimbledon 1-1 Port Vale
4
Antwoine Hackford
Quiz ratings
Today’s theme is players to appear for both sides.
0/4 – Nathan Broome
1/4 – Ryan Johnson
2/4 – Antwoine Hackford
3/4 – Ethan Chislett
4/4 – Robbie Earle
Gotta win today, win these games in hand and we’re closing them off. Even if we do get relegated, I’d rather leave it till the last day then February. 2-1 Vale. UPTV!
Players who played for both sides…
What about Gareth Ainsworth
We sold him to Wimbledon didnt we
Chris, it’s a selection not every single player!