For the first time in four years, Port Vale face Tranmere Rovers in the Football League, as the Valiants travel to Prenton Park for the Saturday afternoon clash. We take a look back at Vale’s previous meetings with the Merseyside club…
The last time these two sides met was back in March 2014, as Vale Park witnessed a five-goal thriller which saw Vale overcome their opponents 3-2.
Only two players from this year’s squad were involved in the fixture – Tom Pope and Louis Dodds.
Pope was named in the starting eleven on the day and took only three minutes to break the deadlock. Dodds was among the subs bench.
Ben Williamson flicked on a wicked Adam Yates cross, to find Pope six yards out from goal under no pressure and the latter took a touch, before slotting past Owain Fon Williams in the Tranmere goal.
The game looked to be dead and buried just 15 minutes into the second half after Billy Knot fired home from 25 yards and just minutes later, Ben Williamson coolly finished from eight yards to put the game beyond Tranmere.
Though, the Rovers fought back and had Vale worried during the late encounters. Ash Taylor rose highest to power home a corner from the right-hand side before Jason Koumas floated in a 35-yard free-kick, which evaded everyone and nestled into the Vale far-post.
However, the Valiants survived the late onslaught to claim all three points on the day.
Tranmere haven’t beaten Vale since August 2011, when the Rovers won 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the St Johnstone Paint Trophy, to progress to the second round of the cup competition.