The Valiants are on the road again as we make the journey to Sixfields to take on Northampton Town on Tuesday evening.
Vale come into this midweek clash following a dramatic encounter with Reading on Saturday. The Royals took the lead via the penalty spot, but Jon Brady’s side got the leveller deep into stoppage time thanks to Martin Sherif’s first goal for the club.
Post-Reading Thoughts
Here’s what the gaffer had to say regarding Saturday’s draw:
“Overall, I thought we were a bit stand-off-ish in the first half, but then we grew into the game and made some tweaks with them.
“We came out second half, and we were on the front foot. I felt like we dominated in their half, we moved the ball around well and created a lot of chances”.
Our Opponents
Northampton is a town in the East Midlands, which is situated on the River Nene and famous for its long history as the Home of Fine English Shoes. The travelling Valiants will travel close to 100 miles on Tuesday evening to watch their side.
The Cobblers have been going back and forth between League Two and League One for the past ten years, but now seem to have solidified their position in the third tier.
The East Midlands side made a slow start to the season, picking up their first points in the fifth game. Unfortunately for Northampton, they have carried on that form throughout the season and now sit in 22nd place in the league, two points from safety.
Tuesday's hosts come into this game off the back of a 2-1 defeat at home to Leyton Orient.
The Opposition Dugout
Kevin Nolan is the man in charge at Northampton Town. The Englishman was appointed manager in December 2024. Kevin spent just under four years at West Ham United as assistant manager before this and was a part of David Moyes’ coaching staff that won the Conference League in 2023.
Before stepping up into management, Nolan had a seventeen-year playing career, which started at Bolton Wanderers and finished at Notts County. The former midfielder made 194 appearances for Bolton, scoring on 31 occasions.
After spending ten years at Bolton, Nolan made the move up north to Newcastle United, where he stayed for over two years, before signing for West Ham in 2011.
Player to Watch
Dean Campbell is a player for Vale fans to keep an eye out for on Tuesday night. The midfielder has put in some solid performances throughout the season and has contributed with five assists as well.
Fixture Throwback
Northampton Town 1-2 Port Vale, 30th March 2019
The Valiants have had successful trips to Sixfields in recent years, with one victory coming in 2018 thanks to a Tom Pope winner.
It was the hosts who took the lead in the game when Sam Hoskins bundled the ball home from close range.
Vale were reduced to ten men three minutes before half-time after Leon Legge made a professional foul that resulted in a red card being produced. Despite being down to ten men, Vale equalised two minutes later. A pass from Manny Oyeleke found its way through to David Worrall, who was through one-on-one with the keeper, and made no mistake in slotting the ball underneath the keeper.
With fifteen minutes to play, the Valiants took the lead from the penalty spot. Christian Montano was hauled to the ground by a Cabbler's defender, and Tom Pope made no mistake from twelve yards to give Vale all three points.