Port Vale welcome high-flying Exeter City to Vale Park as Neil Aspin’s side look to continue their impressive run of form. You can find all the information regarding the fixture, below…
Date: Saturday 29th September 2018
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Venue: Vale Park
Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge
Port Vale
Form: WLLWLLLDWW
Top Scorer: Tom Pope (4 goals)
Vale will have their tails up heading into the league tie following a huge win over local rivals Crewe Alexandra last weekend. Leon Legge’s goal proved the difference on the day as Aspin’s side took all three points back to Burslem with an impressive 1-0 win.
The Valiants have received a boost ahead of the tie as David Worrall is now fit for selection having overcome illness that kept him side-lined for the derby last weekend. James Gibbons and Cristian Montano will miss out however as they continue to overcome their respective injuries.
It’s possible for Neil Aspin to name an unchanged eleven for the third consecutive game, as his previous starting 11 continue to impress. Manny Oyeleke and Tom Conlon have got the better of their previous injuries and looked to have nailed down a place in the Vale centre-midfield.
Exeter City
Form: DWLLLWWWWW
Top Scorer: Jayden Stockley (6 goals)
Heading into the tie, Exeter will be looking to maintain their five-game unbeaten run in all competitions, that have them sitting pretty in second place in the Sky Bet League Two Table.
Matt Taylor’s side are three games unbeaten in the league off the back of a convincing 3-1 win over Cheltenham Town and will be looking to carry on in the same fashion this weekend.
Troy Brown and Jimmy Oates have been ruled out for the trip to Burslem following their respective long-term injuries and Craig Woodman will is also unavailable for selection. A win for Exeter will keep the heat on league-leaders Lincoln City, who currently have a three-point advantage at the top of the table.
One to Watch: Pierce Sweeney
Irish born full-back who wears the number 2 for Exeter has certainly impressed so far this season.
Sweeney’s footballing career began in the League of Ireland Premier Division where he would represent Bray Wanderers on 12 occasions before being brought to the then Premier League side, Reading.
The defender struggled to break into the first-team, even though he was a mainstay in the Reading under-21 squad that won the 2013/14 Premier League Cup.
Sweeney joined Exeter City in 2016 and is quickly closing in on 80 league appearances for the Grecians.
The Irish full-back has played a huge part in Exeter’s impressive start to the season having scored four goals as well as assisting two and will certainly be one to keep an eye on this weekend.
Talk
Neil Aspin: "If you sit back then a team can come at you, but I don't intend to sit back. Sometimes you get pushed back and Exeter will fancy their chances of getting promotion this season. They are on a good run, but we are going to get tested by our next few games at home against some of the fancied teams. We are looking forward to Saturday's game and it's one which we want to do well in."
Matt Taylor: “They’ve made a decent start and have picked up some good results recently. They seem to have found a formula to play to and to win by. You go to Port Vale on a big pitch against a good opposition who will be firing right into you, it’s always going to be tough. Any time I’ve experienced Port Vale as a coach or a player it’s always been a difficult place to go.”
Coverage
Follow The Vale will be providing full 90 minute commentary from the match, whilst the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feeds will be providing live updates for the entirety.
There will also be build-up to the game with the official Snapchat and Instagram accounts: officialpvfc.
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and social media.