We’re back at Vale Park on New Year’s Day as we take on Cheltenham Town on the opening day of 2025.
The Valiants will be looking to start the year on the right note after suffering back-to-back defeats over the festive period.
Gaffer's Thoughts
Here’s what Darren Moore had to say following Sunday’s defeat at Grimsby:
“I am obviously disappointed, but not just disappointed in the game, I am disappointed in the manner of the defeat - and in terms of the lack of desire that was on the pitch today. That was unacceptable. I have said that to the boys in there.”
“What we witnessed today from them as a group of players was unacceptable. I don’t associate my side with a performance like that.”
The Opposition
Cheltenham Town sit 14th in Sky Bet League Two with 30 points at the halfway stage of the season, seven points less than the Valiants.
The Robins come into the game off the back of a 5-3 defeat against Notts County in a thrilling encounter at the EV Charger Points Stadium. This defeat was their first in five games after they enjoyed an unbeaten run that began against the Vale at the start of December.
Cheltenham have one of the worst away records in the League. In their 10 games on the road, they have only won two games, drawn three and lost five.
Who’s in Charge?
Flynn was appointed as manager of the club in the summer after Darrell Clarke left to join Barnsley. The 44-year-old has had previous managerial stints and Newport County, Walsall and Swindon Town.
Whilst in charge of Newport County, Flynn enjoyed various cup runs across numerous seasons. In the 2017/18 season, his side beat Leeds United in the Third Round of the FA Cup. In the Fourth Round, his side drew against Tottenham Hotspur before losing in the replay at Wembley Stadium. The following season, Newport beat Leicester City in the Third Round of the FA Cup before beating Middlesbrough in a reply in the Fourth Round. In the next round they would play Manchester City where they lost 4-1 despite a spirited performance.
In the same season, Flynn guided his Newport side to a League Two play-off final where they were beaten by Tranmere Rovers in extra time.
In the 2021/22 season, Michael Flynn resigned from his role as manager and has since has various managerial spells across the football league.
Player to Watch
The standout player for the Robins this season has been Levi Colwill. The on-loan Cardiff attacking midfielder has been his side's most creative player. In his 27 games played in all competitions, Colwill has scored nine goals and got three assists from his role just behind the striker. The Welshman comes into the game in fine form after finding the net three times in his last two appearances.
Another player to keep an eye on is George Miller. The Robins’ striker has found the net six times this season. Miller opened the scoring in the reverse fixture against The Valiants when he hammered home from close range to put his side ahead.
There are a few former Valiants in the Cheltenham ranks too. Promotion winner Tom Pett plays for the Robins, but he’s only started five league games this season. Former Vale striker Matty Taylor also plays for Cheltenham. He has also only started five games.
Last Time We Met
Cheltenham Town 1-1 Port Vale, Tuesday 3rd December 2024.
The reverse fixture took place early in December and there was nothing to separate the sides after ninety minutes. After a goalless first half, Cheltenham took the lead in the 53rd minute. A corner from the left was met by Sam Stubbs who saw his header pushed onto the bar following a stunning save from Connor Ripley. However, the rebound fell to George Miller who was on hand to turn home from close range.
After going a goal behind, Vale pushed for a leveller and had a great chance when Sam Hart’s low cross missed everyone and fell to Rico Richards, but his close-range effort was saved by the Cheltenham keeper who raced off his line to close the angle. Vale’s leveller eventually came in the 94th minute, and what a strike it was! Sam Hart’s long ball found Ruari Paton who cut inside from the left and found Ronan Curtis who took a touch and thundered a strike into the top corner to level the scores in the most dramatic fashion.
Fixture Throwback
Port Vale 3-1 Cheltenham Town, Saturday 29th March 2013.
With the promotion race getting tight, this was a crucial fixture for both sides who were hoping to fill one of the three automatic spots at the end of the season.
At a snowy Vale Park, it was the Vale who took the lead inside 20 minutes when Tom Pope met a cross with one of his trademark headers to put his side ahead. Just after half time, the scores were level when Kaid Mohamed reacted quickest to Byron Harrison’s saved effort to tap home into an empty net.
Five minutes later the Robins went ahead when Paul Benson fired home from close range. However, Cheltenham’s lead didn’t last long, Six minutes later Tom Pope levelled the game with a calm finish at the back post.
Pope completed his hattrick fifteen minutes from time when he broke the offside trap and calmly finished before famously taking his top off and diving into the snow. Pope’s hat-trick-sealing goal was his 30th goal of the season and it earned Vale a crucial three points on their way to promotion.
