Port Vale welcome Exeter City to Vale Park this evening in Sky Bet League 2, hoping to build on from Saturday's point after a fantastic comeback against Stevenage. You can find all of the important information ahead of the clash below...
Fixture: Port Vale vs Exeter City
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Tuesday 20th March 2018
Kick-off: 19:45
Venue: Vale Park
Preview:
Following back to back away trips, the Valiants have found themselves hosting back to back home fixtures. Tonight, it's Paul Tisdale's Exeter City who are the visitors to Vale Park.
You will have to go back to October 2017 for when the two teams last met in the league at St James Park. During a resurgence under Neil Aspin, it was the Valiants who claimed all three points as Tom Pope turned home a David Worrall cross on 25 minutes.
Vale would not mind a repeat result tonight. The Valiants have picked up two points in their last two away trips, and secured a precious point at the weekend at home to Stevenage, when it looked certain Stevenage would walk away with all three. A win tonight, would be the first for the club in 2018, and would see them lift themselves further away from the relegation zone.
Mansfield were the last side to prevail in Burslem back in November, meaning Aspin's men hold an unbeaten record that provides encouragement heading into this clash.
The Opposition:
Exeter City currently sit 8th the Sky Bet League Two table, and a win tonight would move them into a play off spot.
The Grecians were on their travels on Morecambe last time out and fell to a 2-1 defeat after leading late in the first half. A late goal from Michael Rose earned Morecambe a vital victory to ease their relegation worries and damage Exeter's promotion hopes.
Exeter will have to cast their minds back to February to recall their last league win, which came away to Vale's fellow relegation contenders Grimsby. A Jayden Stockley penalty was enough to seal all three points.
One To Watch - Jayden Stockley
The striker began his playing career at Bournemouth under current manager Eddie Howe, and was thrown into the first team aged just 15. An important exam meant Howe had to phone Stockley’s school in order to play.
Stockley joined Exeter City in the summer for a club record fee from Aberdeen, and hasn't looked back since.
He ranks as the clubs top goal scorer for the season so far, netting 17 times and providing four assists for his teammates, averaging a goal every 164 minutes.
Team News
Vale remain without long-term absentees Kjell Knops and Adam Yates as they will be sidelined until the end of the season.
Antony Kay has returned to training following his recent operation, but he is still remains a doubt for the clash, while Tom Pope is continuing his recovery from surgery on a hernia. Full back Cristian Montano, will also be assessed ahead of the game after manager Neil Aspin confirmed he suffered a knock to the knee at the weekend.
Exeter City will be without captain Jordan Moore-Taylor who will miss the rest of Exeter City's season through injury. The defender went off injured in the Grecians' draw with Carlisle on March 10 with a knee ligament injury.
Talk
Neil Aspin: “Everyone wants us to get a result, it’s very frustrating but, we have to be prepared to fight and scrap. I think the players have shown that in previous games and as long as we have that – we can give ourselves a chance."
Paul Tisdale: " “We have to be more clinical and streetwise and turn that start we had into points. Every game is crucial, but one at a time so we have two or three days to get ready for that one (Port Vale)."
Coverage:
Follow The Vale will be providing full 90 minute commentary from the match, while the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feed will be providing live updates for the entirety.
There will also be build-up to the game with the official Snapchat account: officialpvfc.
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and social media.