The Valiants welcome Cambridge United to Vale Park in the last game of our 2023/24 campaign.

Gaffers Thoughts

With Port Vale looking to end the season on a high, here’s what Darren Moore has to say ahead of Saturday’s fixture:

“I want to see passion, I want to see drive, I want to see commitment. We want to see players playing for the badge and we want to see players illustrating what it means to them to play for Port Vale and we want the players to showcase that to the supporters.”

The Opposition

Cambridge United come into the game in 19th place in the table with their League One safety still yet to be secured. They are two points above the drop and have a better goal difference than both Burton Albion and Cheltenham Town. 

Who’s in Charge?

Gary Monk was appointed manager of Cambridge United on March 4th 2023 after three years out of the game. The former Swansea City defender arrived at the Abbey Stadium after Neil Harris left to return to Millwall a month earlier.

After a successful playing career that amassed just short of 19 years as a pro, Monk turned his hand to management in 2014 when he took over the reins following the departure of Michael Landrup. He guided his Swansea side to an eighth-place finish in Premier League and he also helped his side to a last 32 spot in the Europa League before they were knocked out by Napoli.

Monk was then relieved of his duties in December 2015 after picking up just one win in fifteen games. Since then, Monk has been in charge of Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday and after three years out of the job, he is back in the dugout with Cambridge United. He has managed ten games so far and they have won two, drawn three and lost five.

Player to Watch - Gassan Ahadme

The Ipswich Town loanee is the club’s top scorer with thirteen goals in all competitions so far this season. He scored in his side's most recent outing when he opened the scoring in their 1-1 draw against Wycombe Wanderers in midweek.

Another player to keep an eye out of his Sullay Kaikai. He has scored four goals and got five assists in his 42 games played from his role as a winger.

Last Time We Met

Cambridge United 1-1 Port Vale, Saturday 23rd September 2023.

Earlier in the season, the sides played out a 1-1 draw at the Abbey Stadium.

Vale took the lead in the 20th minute when Ethan Chislett’s pass was perfect for Ben Garrity to drive into the box and finish well to put his side 1-0 up.

The hosts levelled the scores in the 66th minute when Fejiri Okenabhirie headed home at the back post after he met Josh-Kymani Gordon’s deep cross.

In the last minute of the game, Cambridge had a golden chance to take all three points when Jack Lankeseter was brought down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Okenabhirie stepped up and saw his spot kick saved by Connor Ripley who guessed the right way and comfortably saved.

Fixture Throwback

Port Vale 1-0 Cambridge United, 31 August 2019.

The last time the Valiants won at home to Cambridge was back in 2019.

The only goal of the game came in the second half when David Amoo burst into the box and fired a low cross for Ritchie Bennett to turn home from close range to score the only goal of the game and earn the Valiants all three points.

Match officials

Ross Joyce has been selected to referee tomorrow's match against Cambridge United.

Alistair Nelson and Conor Brown will be his assistants with Robert Massey-Ellis on hand as fourth official.