Our fourth away game trip of the 2019/20 season sees us travel to Rodney Parade to take on Newport County in the Sky Bet League Two. A quick turnaround after Tuesday’s Leasing.com win against Shrewsbury Town at Vale Park, we look back at some of the classic matches we've played away against the Ironsides!
League Division Four, Somerton Park, Monday 11th April 1966; Newport County 0 - 1 Port Vale
Port Vale were sat in the bottom four of the Fourth Division as they headed into their Easter Monday game away at mid-table Newport County’s.
As they headed to Somerton Park, Newport’s previous ground, the Vale had only scored once in their previous six games, but went on to win the game thanks to a goal from winger John Rowland.
The Valiants’ defence was solid throughout the match, and were marshalled by their new goalkeeper Stuart Sharratt who was playing his fourth game for the club.
They went on to complete the double over Newport the following day at Vale Park, picking up a 3-0 win, with Rowland scoring another two.
Port Vale: Sharratt, Ritchie, Wilson, Poole, Alcock, Boulton, R.Smith, Machin, Georgeson, Miles (Sproson), Rowland
Attendance: 2,528
League Division Three, Somerton Park, Saturday 27th December 1986; Newport County 0 - 2 Port Vale
Port Vale headed into the fixture sat bottom of Division Three having only won four of their 20 league games so far that season and Newport were only being a couple of places higher.
Vale took the lead just seven minutes before half-time when Andy Jones converted from the penalty spot. The goal was one of Jones’ 37 he would score that season, a record which still the highest for the club since 1927.
Paul Smith doubled the Valiants’ lead in the 74th minute and they saw out the game as comfortable winners, with a defence that had assumed solidity thanks to central defender Bob Hazell, who was playing his second game.
The Vale would eventually rally their season to finish 12th, whilst Newport finished bottom and were relegated, and the game was Vales’ last league visit to Newport until 2017 as they had a long spell out of the Football League.
Port Vale – Williams, Banks, Bromage, Walker, Hazell, Sproson, P.Smith, Earle, Jones, Bowden, Hamson
Unused Subs: Maguire.
Attendance: 2,103