A trip to Oxfordshire is in store for the Valiants as we face Oxford United United in Sky Bet League One action on Saturday.
This weekend’s hosts are currently sitting 16th in the table, whilst Vale are currently sitting mid-table in 11th place.
Here is some interesting pre-match reading before the fascinating clash against the yellows this weekend.
The view from Darrell Clarke:
“Oxford have a tremendous squad,” Clarke said.
“Karl’s teams – he’ll be frustrated with this – but they haven’t had a great start over the last couple of seasons but then they fly.
“They are a very good, possession-based team and I had Matty Taylor and Billy Bodin at Bristol Rovers and sold them both for towards £1million.
“So, they have a high calibre of player within the squad, but we are there to go and try to get the three points.
“We are more than a match for most teams in this division and we will be looking to do the same.”
Opposition’s Boss’ thoughts
Karl Robinson said: “[Port Vale have] loads of energy, a clear style, some good player within that system.
“[Vale are] Competitive, [they have] high energy, and the manager’s [Darrell Clarke] done it for a long time, he knows what he is doing.
“We know we are going to be in a for a difficult afternoon.”
Fixture Flashback:
Sky Bet League One, Vale Park, Saturday 22nd October 2016: Port Vale 2-2 Oxford United
We travel back just over six years in time for today’s fixture flashback, and Vale produced a second-half comeback against this weekend’s opponents to grab a point at Vale Park.
A fiery five-minute second-half period saw the Valiants grab two goals to overcome a two-goal deficit, with Ryan Taylor, and Rigino Cicilia netting for the hosts.
Chey Dunkley opened the scoring after just 11 minutes, climbing above the rest to head home a Chris Maguire free kick for the Yellows.
The U’s quickly added a second just eight minutes later when Daniel Crowley tapped home into an empty net after Maguire had set free Marvin Johnson to square the ball across the box.
After a poor first period, Vale came out of the blocks quickly after the interval, and it only took them nine minutes to get a goal back, with Cicilia firing home after Nathan Smith headed the ball down for him.
Only five minutes later, the Valiants were level, and it was their debutant at the time, Ryan Taylor, who slotted home a penalty after Cicilia was pulled down in the area.
Unfortunately, Vale would go on to get relegated from League One in this campaign, but we are back now, and going strongly in the division.
Last Time Out (League):
Sky Bet League One, Montgomery Waters Meadow, Wednesday 9th November 2022: Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Oxford United
Matt Pennington scored a second-half equaliser for Shrewsbury as the spoils were shared against Oxford United at Montgomery Waters Meadow.
Salop’s centre-half headed home in the 65th minute to cancel out Cameron Brannagan’s first-half strike, in the only midweek League One fixture.
The U’s star man, Brannagan, gave the visitors the lead on the 15-minute mark, slamming home via a deflection after his first effort was blocked well by the Shrewsbury defence.
The hosts were hammering at the door throughout the match and got their deserved equaliser with 25 minutes to go through Pennington, who latched onto Luke Leahy’s cross-box layoff to head home.
United’s keeper Simon Eastwood had to be at his best throughout the 90 minutes, denying Rob Street a second-half equaliser when he looked certain to score.
Just before the Salop goal, the U’s shot-stopper produced a wonderful save to prevent Leahy from tapping home from close range.
However, Eastwood could do nothing about the leveller, and Oxford had to settle for a point on the road, and they now prepare for the visit of the mighty Valiants.
U’s Team news:
The Yellows sustained a few casualties on Wednesday night against Shrewsbury Town, with Djavan Anderson and Kyle Joseph ruled out after picking up injuries, and Cameron Brannagan suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign against Salop.
Form: LDWDD
22/10/22: Oxford United 1-2 Peterborough United, Sky Bet League One
25/10/22: Portsmouth 1-1 Oxford United, Sky Bet League One
29/10/22: Bolton Wanderers 1-3 Oxford United, Sky Bet League One
01/11/22: Oxford United 1-1 Fleetwood Town, Sky Bet League One
09/11/22: Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Oxford United, Sky Bet League One