After picking up four points in our last two games on the road, we’re back at home this Saturday as we welcome newly-promoted Carlisle United to Vale Park.
The Valiants come into the game off the back of an impressive 3-2 win against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
The hosts took the lead when Alfie May dispatched a penalty after just ten minutes. Vale responded soon after half time when James Wilson flicked home Ethan Chislett’s freekick.
The travelling Vale fans were still celebrating Wilson’s goal when Ethan Chislett put the Vale ahead with a calm finish from just outside the box to turn the game on its head. However, Vale were pegged back in the 71st minute when Daniel Kanu headed home to get the hosts back on level terms.
Three minutes from time, Vale substitute Josh Thomas chased a long ball and capitalised on a defensive error before eventually teeing up Funso Ojo who sprinted the length of the field to score the winning goal and cap off what was a superb away performance in the capital.
Crosby’s Comments
“It’s an extremely difficult game, like every game we’ve played so far and for the remaining fixtures. Every game has its own problems, each team has got different strengths but equally, each team has different weaknesses.
“We’re obviously well aware of Carlisle and we’ll approach it in the same manner that we have all the previous five games by recognising their qualities. I think that Paul (Simpson) has done an amazing job to get them promoted from League Two via the Play Offs.
"They’ll see the step up in levels like we found out last season, but they have been competitive in every single game so far. So yeah, it’s one we’re looking forward to and we’re equally aware of all the challenges it’s going to bring”
The Opposition
Carlisle United currently sit in 20th place in Sky Bet League One. The Cumbrians are yet to pick up a win this season after registering two draws and two losses in their first four league games back in League One with the draws coming on the first game of the season against Fleetwood Town and against Wigan Athletic who they drew 1-1 against.
The 2022/23 League Two Play Off final winners have a number of former Valiants in their side too. Former Vale loanee Ryan Edmonson signed for the club on a permanent deal in the summer of 2022 after helping Vale to play off success in the previous season.
Former Vale keeper Tomas Holy has started in all of Carlisle’s games this season. Danny Butterworth also now plays for Carlisle after signing in the summer. However, he has only made one appearance this season.
Callum Guy is another former Valiant on the Carlisle team. He made 11 appearances for the Vale whilst on loan from Derby County in 2017.
Last Time We Met
Carlisle United 1-3 Port Vale, Tuesday 8th February 2022,
The sides last met in Vale’s promotion season when we travelled to Brunton Park on a cold Tuesday night in February.
Vale got off to a flying start when David Worrall finished off a good move with a deflected finish from the right side of the box.
The hosts soon levelled through Owen Windsor after he ghosted into the box and finished well. However, Vale fought back and were soon level through James Wilson after he scored just before half time.
David Amoo then rounded off the scoring for The Valiants in the 81st minute to help Vale pick up what turned out to be a crucial 3 points.
Player to Watch - Owen Moxon
The 25-year-old made the move to Cumbria from Annan Athletic where he made 115 appearances in a five-year stint at the club.
Last season, Moxon played a vital role in Carlisle’s promotion via the Play Offs and ended up picking up a few personal accolades to accompany his winner's medal, winning the club's Player of the Season award as well as being named in the Sky Bet League Two Team of the Season after a very impressive debut campaign.