The Valiants are back in action on Tuesday night as we welcome Colchester United to Vale Park.
We will be looking to build on Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Swindon Town. Despite a dominant first half from the Vale, the scores were level at the break. Darren Moore’s side finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark when George Byers powered a header into the back of the net following Tom Sang’s corner.
Our lead was doubled five minutes before time when Brandon Cover won the ball off the Swindon defender before nonchalantly dinking the onrushing keeper to score his first-ever professional goal.
Swindon halved the deficit with a minute to go when Will Wright whipped a 25-yard free kick over the wall and into the back of the net. However, this was merely a consolation goal as Vale ran out 2-1 winners and maintained our five-match unbeaten run.
Gaffer's Thoughts
After Saturday’s victory, Darren Moore said:
“I don’t think anyone can have any complaints with the three points, I thought it was a dominant display.”
“Three wins from four builds momentum, confidence and understanding. Personally, I am happy with the work we have done thus far but am not satisfied because I really do think there is more to come from the team, and we have to do better.”
“There are areas of the pitch which I can’t say but I think we need to be better at. There were also areas today which were pleasing.”
The Gaffer also shared his thoughts ahead of tonight’s fixture:
“We’ll have a look at the condition of the players over the next 24/48 hours before we select a team to go again on Tuesday.”
“It’ll be a different game on Tuesday, but a game that the boys have to be ready for and whichever shape, whichever formation, whichever personnel that we decide to go with, we want the players to perform at the very highest level.”
The Opposition
Colchester United find themselves in 15th place after eight games played. They have 9 points so far this season which come in the form of two wins and three draws. Their wins have come against MK Dons who they beat 2-0 and Tranmere Rovers who they beat 3-0 ten days ago.
Last season, Colchester narrowly avoided dropping out of the football league. The U’s finished three points and one place above the drop zone on 45 points. A draw on the final day of the season against Crewe Alexandra was enough to keep them safe for another season.
Who’s in Charge?
Danny Cowley is in charge of Colchester United. He and his brother Nicky took charge of the U’s in January 2024 after Ben Garner departed.
Cowley made an instant impact, his side went unbeaten in his first month at the helm and had noticeably become a lot harder to beat. So much so that in his 20 games as manager last season, they drew ten and won four which ultimately maintained his side's EFL Status.
Player to watch - Jack Payne
The experienced football league midfielder joined the U’s in the summer and has enjoyed a productive start to the campaign. In nine League Two games this season, he has got five assists and two goals from central midfield.
Another player to watch is EFL veteran striker, Lyle Taylor. The Montserrat international is the U’s joint-leading scorer so far this season with three goals. He is joined on three goals by centre back, Ben Goodcliffe.
Fixture Throwback
Port Vale 3-0 Colchester United, Saturday 23rd October 2021
The Valiants were the winners in the last meeting between the two sides at Vale Park three years ago.
James Gibbons opened the scoring in the 10th minute when he cut inside from the left side before curling a strike into the far corner from just inside the box.
Vale’s lead was doubled then minutes later when Dennis Politic found James Wilson in the box who took a touch before finishing calmly from twelve yards out.
The points were confirmed on the hour mark when Aaron Martin met Tom Conlon’s corner with a glancing finish that found the far corner.
Author: Jack Beresford, Port Vale FC Media Team Volunteer
