The Valiants will be backed by another sold-out away end when we kick off the Easter Weekend with a trip to Carlisle United.
Vale come into the game off the back of four consecutive wins which have seen us move to the top of the league table. Last time out, The Valiants emphatically beat Bromley 5-0 in front of over 10,000 supporters at Vale Park.
Gaffer's Thoughts
Here’s what Darren Moore had to say following last weekend’s victory:
“It was an excellent afternoon for everyone connected with the football club. It was almost a perfect day in terms of the football and the magnificent support we had.
“It was a memorable day with the five goals, but we also look at the concentration of the group and the clean sheet. I was pleased and proud with the performance from every one of them.
“There was a lot of commitment and desire but also that concentration which was really good. You put all that into the pot and you get this performance.
“I am just pleased they carried that on from the hectic schedule we had last week.”
The Gaffer also spoke ahead of our Good Friday trip to Brunton Park:
“We don’t look at where the opposition is, we just see the work that they have done and the work that we need to do to go up there and get any type of result.
“They are a football club that’s turned a corner, Mark (Hughes) the manager is a really experienced manager that’s worked at higher levels than we are now, credit to him for taking the role and giving them the belief and the fighting spirit with four games still remaining.
“We’re going to a team that’s in form like ourselves. It presents itself as a real exciting game. Mark is doing some great work there; we know the work they’re doing there. We will continue to plan and prepare like we have done all season.”
The Opposition
Carlisle United currently sit second bottom of the League Two table, six points from safety.
Despite their league position, the Cumbrians come in the game off the back of two wins in a row. The first of these wins came at Brunton Park when they came from 2-0 down to beat Newport County 3-2. More recently, they picked up a valuable victory at Morecambe thanks to goals from Georgie Kelly and Terrell Thomas.
Carlisle’s home record is the worst in the league, they have lost ten, drawn seven and won only four of their 21 league fixtures at Brunton Park this season. On the flip side, the Valiants boast the second-best away record in the league, picking up 34 points in our 21 away fixtures.
Who’s in Charge?
Former Bradford City Manager, Mark Hughes, is in charge of Carlisle United. The 61-year-old Welshman joined the club in February 2025 following the departure of Mike Williamson.
Despite spending most of his playing and managerial career in the top flight of English Football, Sparky’ has experience in League Two after having a spell in charge of Bradford City where he spent most of 2022 and 2023. However, he was relieved of his duties in October 2023, leaving the Bantams in 18th place in League Two.
Since joining Carlisle, Mark Hughes has managed 14 games and he has won four, drawn four and lost six.
Player to Watch
Centre back, Terrell Thomas has been a standout player of late. The experienced EFL defender scored in his side's last outing and he will be looking to use his experience to guide Carlisle to safety.
Gabe Breeze has been one of the shining lights for The Cumbrians this season. In his breakthrough season the 21-year-old goalkeeper has conceded 35 goals in the 28 games he played, and he has a save percentage of 75% this season.
Georgie Kelly comes into the game in hot form with three goals in his last two games. These are the only league goals he has scored this season, but he will be hoping to continue his goalscoring streak on Friday.
Fixture Throwback
Carlisle United 1-3 Port Vale, Tuesday 8th February 2022
The sides met in the final few months of the 2021/22 season and it was the Valiants who came away with all three points.
It didn’t take Vale long to go ahead as David Worrall gave the Valiants an early lead. After receiving a square ball from James Wilson, the Vale winger calmly slotted into the bottom corner to kick off give us the best possible start to the game. However, the lead didn’t last long when Owen Windsor ghosted in at the back post before diverting a low cross into the bottom corner in the 21st to level the scores. Just before the break, Vale regained the lead when James Wilson bundled home a rebound from close range after seeing his initial effort saved well by Mark Howard in the Carlisle goal.
The game was put to bed ten minutes from time when David Amoo intercepted a back pass before slotting home to complete the scoring and earn Vale all three points.
Ref Watch
Martin Woods will take charge of Friday’s fixture. He will be assisted by Paul Newhouse and Matthew Sowerby. Graham Fyvie will be the fourth official.
Woods has taken charge of 29 games this season, mostly in League One & Two. He last took charge of the Vale on the opening day of this season when we beat Salford City 2-0 thanks to Ben Garrity’s brace.
