Port Vale will welcome Morecambe to Vale Park this afternoon as they seek their fourth win in this year’s Sky Bet League Two campaign. After picking draws in their last two games against Mansfield Town and Leyton Orient, the Valiants will be hoping they can get back to winning ways. You can find all of the key information regarding the game, below.
Fixture: Port Vale vs Morecambe
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Saturday 5th October 2019
Kick-Off: 3:00 pm
Venue: Vale Park
Referee: Charles Breakspear
Port Vale
Manager: John Askey
Form: LWLDD
Top Goal Scorer: Richie Bennett (4 goals)
After late heartbreak prevented the Valiants from collecting their first three points away from home in the league this season, they will hope to get straight back into winning ways today and make it six games unbeaten at Vale Park.
John Askey spoke in the week about the clubs ambition to finish in a Play-Off position this season and getting another three points will help in the pursuit of that goal, with the Vale currently sat just four points off where they aim to be.
The gaffer has had to pick from a limited selection of players lately, with an injury hit squad, but David Amoo and Jordan Archer were able to return to action last week and Rhys Browne could be back in contention today also. The Vale will be without James Gibbons however due to suspension, and Manny Oyeleke, Mark Cullen and Cristian Montano all remain sidelined with injuries. That aside, Askey has a fully fit squad to choose from, with new signing Will Atkinson also available for selection.
“Jim Bentley always puts a competitive team out and tomorrow will be no different, so we need to make sure that we’re right on it.”
Dave Kevan, Port Vale Assistant Manager
Morecambe
Manager: Jim Bentley
Form: DLLLD
Top Goal Scorer(s): Lewis Alessandra (5 goals)
Morecambe come into the game in desperate need of three points, as they sit third from bottom in the league and without a win in their last 10 competitive games.
The Shrimps will feel today’s game could be a good opportunity to return to winning ways as they have not lost a game at Vale Park since April 2011 when they were beaten 7-2 by the Valiants.
Jim Bentley has an almost fully fit squad to pick from for the game, with Tom Brewitt, Richie Sutton and Alex Kenyon all recently returning from injury.
One to watch: Lewis Alessandra
Alessandra can either play down the middle or out wide, and has been the standout performer for the Jim Bentley’s side so far this season, having already found the back of the net five times.
He began his career with Oldham Athletic, where he graduated the youth academy and worked his way into the first team, and went on to feature 67 times before moving to Morecambe.
He played over 80 times for the Shrimps before signing for Plymouth Argyle were he again made over 80 appearances, before making a further three short term moves prior to joining Notts County.
Alessandra spent the last two years at Meadow Lane but resigned for Morecambe this summer where he has hit the ground running, and is currently the joint third top goalscorer in the league.
Talk:
Dave Kevan: “We’ve enjoyed playing at home and hopefully the supporters have enjoyed the performances that we’ve put on this season… the support has been fantastic, they really get behind the lads and I’m sure the lads appreciate it, well I know they do.”
Jim Bentley: “It’s not been a bad week and now we look forward to the game on Saturday to try and make it a very good week for us.”
Coverage:
iFollow 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 the 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.