Port Vale welcome Stockport County to ST6 on Monday evening in Sky Bet League One action live on Sky Sports
Vale come into this clash against Stockport following a narrow 1-0 defeat away at Wigan Athletic. A second-half goal from Maleace Asamoah secured all three points for the Latics.
Post-Wigan Thoughts
The Gaffer's immediate reaction to the Wigan result:
“A really frustrating afternoon for us, off the back of the game, how it started and how it finished and how the game played out today, it was certainly not a result we wanted today.”
Press Conference Takeaways
Here’s what the boss had to say about Monday’s fixture:
“It’s not going to be easy, we’ve got a real good team coming to town and a real experienced manager.
“It’s a team that have got a real aspiration of getting out of this league this season and went really close last season, it shows the magnitude of the game, and we understand it".
Our Opponents
Stockport is a town in the Greater Manchester region and is most famous for its hatting industry, hence their nickname, the Hatters.
County have a famous history in football and most recently went from the National League North to League One in the space of six years. Stockport’s most recent title came in 2024 when they won Sky Bet League Two, finishing on 92 points. They came close to securing back-to-back promotions the season after, but missed out due to a Play-Off defeat to Leyton Orient.
The Hatters currently sit in fifth position in the league, just one point shy of first-placed Cardiff City. Challinor’s team hasn’t lost in the league since early September, when they lost to Plymouth Argyle 4-2. They come into Monday night's game live on Sky Sports off the back of 1-0 home win against Exeter.
The Opposition Dugout
Dave Challinor is the man in charge of the Greater Manchester club. He was appointed in 2021 following the sacking of Simon Rusk. Challinor has gone on to lead his side for 219 games, with a win percentage rate of 55%. Before his move to Stockport, the Englishman had spells at Hartlepool, Flyde and Colwyn Bay.
Before his transition into management, Dave had a seventeen-year playing career, making over 400 appearances along the way. His playing career began at Tranmere Rovers in 1994 and finished at Colwyn Bay in 2011, where he then became player-manager. Prior to this, Dave had spells at Northern side Bury and his current employers, Stockport.
Player to Watch
Oliver Norwood is certainly a player for the fans to keep an eye out for on Monday. The midfielder has been Stockport’s highest-performing player so far this season, scoring four goals and contributing to four assists. Norwood has already matched his goal and assist tally from last season, where he only missed two games throughout the campaign.
Before his move to Stockport, Norwood spent six seasons at Sheffield United, making 97 Premier League Appearances, scoring on two occasions.
Fixture Throwback
Port Vale 1-0 Stockport County, 19th May 1993
John Rudge’s Vale came into this Division 2 Play-Off second leg game at Vale Park with Stockport following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
The Valiants dominated the game forcing the opposition goalkeeper into numerous saves. Rudge’s side finally got the breakthrough goal in the second half, thanks to a volleyed effort from Martin Foyle five minutes from time.
Even though Vale would lose to West Brom in the Play-Off final, John Rudge led his side to another victory over Stockport County this season, and it was a memorable 2-1 victory in the Football League Trophy at Wembley Stadium.
