The Valiants welcome Fleetwood Town to Burslem in the final group game of the Vertu Trophy, the first game of a Vale Park triple header
Port Vale come into Tuesday night’s game against Fleetwood following an away defeat at the Toughsheet Community Stadium to Bolton Wanderers. Despite creating more chances in the opening stages of the game, Vale fell short in Greater Manchester.
Post Bolton Reaction:
“A disappointing result, again we had moments in the game that if we’d have capitalised on them, certainly in the first twenty minutes, started really bright on the front foot.”
Our Opponents
The Cod Army are currently sat in 13th position in Sky Bet League Two, a division they have been in since their relegation from League One in 2024. Before this, Fleetwood spent close to ten years in League One, finishing in the play-offs on two occasions, but failed to capitalise both times.
The Lancashire-based side comes into Tuesday's top of the group clash off the back of a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of Crawley Town. Prior to this defeat, Town were unbeaten in all competitions since the beginning of October, where they were defeated 2-0 by Cheltenham.
The Opposition Dugout
Pete Wild is the current manager of Fleetwood Town after he was appointed during the Christmas period of 2024, following the sacking of former Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam. Since his appointment, Wild has a win percentage of 40% with the Englishman winning eighteen of his forty games.
Pete’s managerial career began at Oldham Athletic; however, he was only in charge for seventeen matches before moving on to Halifax Town, where he would take charge of 127 games. Before his time at Fleetwood began, Pete had a two-year stint at fellow League Two club, Barrow.
Player to Watch
Defensive midfielder Elliot Bonds has been Fleetwood’s standout performer so far this season. Bonds sits top of the assist chart for his side whilst also scoring two goals against Barnet and Harrogate Town. Bonds has already matched his best career goal tally of two goals and will be looking to build further upon that.
Fixture Throwback
Port Vale 2-1 Fleetwood Town, 30th July 2022
Vale have a decent record against Tuesday’s visitors and came out 2-1 victors when the sides met in 2022.
Daniel Batty gave Fleetwood the lead with six minutes on the clock after his half-volleyed effort was too powerful for Aidan Stone.
The Valiants equalised on the half-hour mark after Connor Hall beat his man down the right before finding Nathan Smith, who smartly flicked the ball home. Two minutes later, Connor Hall completed the Vale comeback when his effort trickled into the bottom corner, leaving the keeper with no chance.
