The Valiants will be looking to get back to winning ways on Easter Monday when we welcome Grimsby Town to Vale Park.
Vale come into the game off the back of a narrow 3-2 defeat at Carlisle on Friday. Despite being 3-0 down early in the second half, the Vale fought well and pulled it back to 3-2 and had an excellent chance to salvage a point from the game in added time, but Lorent Tolaj’s penalty was well-saved by Gabe Breeze.
Over 11,000 tickets have been sold ahead of Monday’s clash against Grimsby where the Valiants will be looking for our third home win on the bounce to maintain our position at the top of the league.
Gaffer's Thoughts
Here’s what Darren Moore had to say following Friday's fixture
“In the first half I just thought we got caught up in the atmosphere as opposed to playing the game. If you look at their three goals, the first was from an unforced error and then I’d put the other two down to a little bit of sloppy defending.
“The second half was more like Vale with the way we pinned them in. I said to the players, the first half was what not to do. The second half is what Vale have been all season.
“One thing we have done all season is never given up, no matter what the mountain is. The boys showed a lot of that character in the second half.”
Darren Moore also spoke ahead of tomorrow’s Easter Monday clash:
“We’re looking to respond; every time we have a defeat we just look to respond in the right manor and we’ve usually got that. It’s another exciting game on Monday for many different reasons.
"We want to come out of the game with the right outcome, we know we have some work to do, we know what we have to focus on. We’ll be ready for it on Monday and we look forward to the game.”
Who’s in Charge?
Former Crewe Alexandra manager Dave Artell is in charge of the Mariners. The 44-year-old had an illustrious playing career as a no-nonsense centre half where he made over 460 professional appearances. He signed for Vale back in 2012 but left after just one month without playing a game.
The former Gibraltar International joined the Mariners in November 2023 after Paul Hurst left the club. In his first season at the helm, Artell guided his side to safety as they finished 21st, seven points above the relegation zone.
This is Artell’s second managerial role, his first was with Crewe Alexandra where he managed over 270 games for the Railwaymen. In this time, he guided Crewe to promotion from League Two in the 2019/20 season.
Since joining the club in 2023, Artell has taken charge of 77 games where he has won 27, drawn 17 and lost 33.
The Opposition
Grimsby Town currently sit in 8th place in Sky Bet League Two. They are level on points with Colchester United, who occupy the final play-off spot and it’s just goal difference that keeps them outside the top seven.
The Mariners come into the game off the back of a 4-0 defeat against Swindon Town at Blundell Park, two goals in each half saw the visitors come away with all three points. This result did their goal difference no favours as they now sit on -5. They will be looking for a late run of positive results to get them into the Play Offs.
On the road this season, Grimsby have the fourth-best record in the league. In their 21 away games, they have picked up 33 points, which comes in the form of 10 wins, 3 draws and eight defeats.
Player to Watch
Left wing back Denver Hume has been a standout player for Grimsby this season. He has got 12 assists from the left side of the Mariners' defence, which includes an assist for his side's second goal in the reverse fixture. His outstanding assist record is the third-best in the top four divisions of English football.
Top scorer Danny Rose is always one to keep an eye out for. He has twelve goals and two assists in what has been another successful campaign for the experienced frontman. However, his goals have dried up of late as he hasn’t scored in his last six outings, so he will be hoping to rekindle his good form.
Former Vale promotion winner Lewis Cass plays for Grimsby. However, he has found minutes hard to come by as he has started just 18 games this season.
Fixture Throwback
Port Vale 3-0 Grimsby Town, Saturday 9th January 2021
Last time the sides met at Vale Park was back in the COVID season in 2021 and it was the Valiants who came away with the points after a comfortable victory.
The opening goal came from an unlikely source as Shaun Brisley touched home from close range following Tom Pope’s headed back across goal.
Vale’s lead was doubled in the 15th minute when Devante Rodney headed home David Worrall’s cross from the right. The points were secured on the hour mark when another David Worrall cross was this time turned home by Grimsby defender Luke Waterfall, who turned the ball into his own goal.
Ref watch
Richard Eley will take charge of Monday’s clash at Vale Park. He will be assisted by Simon Robinson and Ceri Williams. Emmanuel Edet is the fourth official.
Eley has spent most of the season in the National League but has taken charge of a handful of League One & Two games. In his 21 games this season, Eley has handed out 97 yellow cards and one red card.
The official has never taken charge of the Valiants. However, he was the fourth official in our 3-2 victory at Walsall earlier this month.
