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Port Vale Preview

By: Richard Hubbert
Date: 14/08/2003

FOLLOWING Town’s highly frustrating loss to Doncaster in midweek, the Mariners will be seeking to claim their first win of the new season in their first game at Blundell Park, against a Port Vale side who won last week’s opening game.

Home > 2003-2004 Season > Previews > Port Vale (h)


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TownPort Vale
LDoncaster(a)2-3
DPlymouth(a)2-2
LForest (cup)(h)0-0 (2-3 pens)
WBournemouth(h)2-1

Port Vale enjoyed a winning start to the new season with a 2-1 win against Bournemouth at Vale Park. The scorers on that day were ex Sheffield United forward Adrian Littlejohn and … . In their midweek tie in the Carling Cup, Vale were unfortunate to loose to first division Nottingham Forest after grinding out a 0-0 in extra time. However, Brian Horton’s side were kicked out by Forest in a pulsating penalty shootout that ended 3-2 to Forest.

Port Vale Rovers Facts

Last Season
17th in Division Two. Following their disappointing finish last season, Port Vale boss Brian Horton and his side are under pressure to improve last years finish.

Manager
Brian Horton. Ex Manchester City manager has had a tough spell as manager of the Valiants whom he failed to save from relegation to division two during the 1999/2000 season. So far he has failed to get Vale anywhere near a return and if he fails to do bring first division football back to the club, he could be under extreme pressure from the clubs fans.

Top Players
Marc Bridge Wilkinson. Ex Derby County midfielder who had a trial at BP during the reign of Alan Buckley. A skilful left sided midfield player who was the clubs top scorer last season with nine goals.

Adrian Littlejohn (left). Forward who has returned to England after a spell abroad in China. Had spells at Sheffield United and Plymouth before then, and is a pacy striker who can get in round the back of defences.

Team News

 

TownPort Vale

  • Paul Groves has no new injury problems, although John McDermott has now returned to training, but will not be fit enough to be in the squad.

  • This means that we can expect an unchanged lineup for the Mariners from the one that started at Doncaster.
  • Like the Mariners, Port Vale have no fresh injury worries and will keep faith with the side that forced Nottingham Forest into extra time in the league cup on Tuesday night.
  • Probable Starting XI's

     

    TownPort Vale
    Aidan Davison
    Jason Crowe
    Darren Barnard
    Tony Crane
    Simon Ford
    Marcel Cas
    Iain Anderson
    Des Hamilton
    Stuart Campbell (C)
    Michael Boulding
    Laurens Ten Heuvel.
    Dean Delaney
    George Pilkington
    Sam Collins,
    Michael Cummins
    Stephen Brooker
    Stephen McPhee
    Marc Bridge Wilkinson
    Andreas Lipa
    Michael Walsh
    Adrian Littlejohn
    Ryan Brown

    Subs

     

    TownPort Vale
    Mike Edwards
    Paul Groves
    Jonathan Rowan
    Darren Mansaram
    Andy Pettinger (GK)
    Ian Armstrong
    Steve Rowland
    Billy Paynter
    Mark Boyd
    Joe Molloy

    On This Day

    August 16th 1998

  • Town drew away at last week’s opponents, Plymouth Argyle, where they, like last week, drew 2-2. Towns scorers that day were Kevin Donovan and Lee Nogan.
  • Port Vale, meanwhile lost 3-1 to Portsmouth in the first division when under the management of John Rudge. Stuart Talbot scored the Vale goal, with John Aloisi and Mathias Svensson (2), now of Charlton, scored the Pompey goals.

  • Last Time Out

    Town last entertained Port Vale in the first division, back in the 1999/2000 season at Blundell Park when Town won 2-0. Daryl Clare and Bradley Allen scored for the Mariners in a match that saw Vale keeper Peter Musselwhite sent off.

    Town Team: Coyne, McDermott, Gallimore, Livingstone, Lever, Donovan, Coldicott, Groves, Black, Clare, Allen.
    Subs: Pouton, D Smith and Buckley

    Port Vale Team: Musselwhite, Talbot, Tankard, Bramner, Burns, Burton, Bullock, Smith, Naylor, Taylor, Widdrington.
    Subs: Eyre, Rimmer, Bogie

    Attendance: 6,265

    Port Vale Head-to-Head (29th on The Opposition Ladder).

    Prediction

    Fishy prediction: 2-1 to Town Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Blundell Park (left).

    Admission Prices

    Click on the link for ticket prices to Blundell Park.




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