Vale return to Burslem after a strong away run hoping to defeat managerless Carlisle United…
Team news
Team newsAfter Vale made ELEVEN changes for the Football League Trophy win over Newcastle United B, it’s pretty much a certainty that there will be a fair few changes to that line-up. Regulars Scott Brown (pictured right), Nathan Smith, Leon Legge and the unsung Luke Joyce will all be expected to return to the starting eleven. Of the team which played on Tuesday night, midfielder Tom Conlon and Mark Cullen will be challenging for a place in the squad.
Stats
The clubs last met in January at Vale Park. The Valiants ended with ten man as Ricky Miller was dismissed and Carlisle ended up as 1-0 winners.
Tempers flare at Vale Park earlier in the year
The Valiants have a poor recent record against the Cumbrians having lost the last three matches. Vale have to go back to 2015 for their last home win. It ended 1-0 thanks to a winner from Uche Ikpeazu. The overall record is thirteen wins for Port Vale, fourteen wins for Carlisle United and ten draws.
Opposition Guide
Manager Steven Pressley left Carlisle this week which means that assistant Gavin Skelton will be in caretaker charge for this match. The main goal threat will be on-loan Olufela Olomola who has netted six times from just thirteen starts. Veteran Adam Collin will be in goal while former Aston Villa forward Harry McKirdy offers skill and guile upfront.
Connections
ConnectionsPort Vale midfielder Luke Joyce will be facing a club for whom he made over 150 appearances during two spells with the club. Joyce left Carlisle in 2018 when he opted to join the Valiants on a free transfer. There could be a second former Carlisle man in Vale’s ranks as Richie Bennett is set to face his former club. Bennett scored twelve times in 73 appearances while at Carlisle.
Pre-match quote
Pre-match quote“That’s the aim , it’s back to the bread and butter if you like, of league football, thankfully we’re at home which has been good for us over the season so far, so we’ll be back to it tomorrow, we’ll see how everyone is and we’ll start preparing for Carlisle on Saturday
Port Vale coach Dave Kevan (right)
Memory match
It’s fair to say that classics between the two sides have been a bit thin on the ground. Vale’s biggest victory came way back in 1930. After a 4-1 away win, the Valiants followed it up with a 4-0 home victory in February. Sam Jennings (2) and Harry Anstiss (2) were the goalscorers. The Vale went on to win the Third Divison (North).
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