The Valiants come into the game off the back of a convincing 3-0 victory last weekend over MK Dons. Lorent Tolaj opened the scoring in the first half before Jayden Stockley and Ben Garrity sealed the victory in the second half.
This win was our fifth in our last six fixtures at Vale Park and with most of our remaining games at home, the Valiants will be looking to maintain this form as we reach the business end of the season.
Gaffer's Thoughts
Here’s what Darren Moore had to say following last weekend’s triumph:
“We had spoken about the importance of getting three points at home. No game is a given but the boys were dogged, patient when we needed to be and effective when we needed to be.”
“There was an energy about us. We had to go a bit more aggressive and we were probably a bit more direct than normal because we wanted to put more pressure on MK Dons. We didn’t want them getting any momentum in the game.”
The Gaffer also spoke ahead of this weekend’s visit of Morecambe:
“Every game now will be different in the sense that what the supporters witnessed last week will be a different one this week. That’s why it’s imperative that we stay consistent with our work and we stay with our support towards the team.
“Even though the teams are different we’ve just got to see them for what they are and make sure that we’re maintaining our level, our focus, our determination whilst not leaving out the togetherness approach of everyone at this football club”
The Opposition
Morecambe currently sit in 23rd place in Skybet League Two, six points from safety.
The Shrimpers come into the game off the back of a 2-2 draw against Barrow last weekend. Morecambe were 2-0 at the break before the Bluebirds hit back with two second half goals to salvage a point and put a dent in Morecambe’s survival hopes.
Morecambe have a pretty poor record on the road this season, winning just four of their 19 away games. Their last away win came on Boxing Day 2024 when they picked up all three points at the league’s basement club Carlisle United, thanks to Gwion Edwards’ goal on the hour mark.
Who's in Charge?
Morecambe are managed by Derek Adams who is in his third spell at the football club. Adams rejoined the club in the summer following the departure of Gerard Brannan.
As previously mentioned, this is Adams’ third spell at the club. In his previous stints at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium, Adams helped Morecambe gain promotion from League Two in the 2020/21 season when they went up via the Play-Offs.
Derek Adams has never been sacked by Morecambe, in the two times he’s departed the club he has joined Bradford City and Ross County within days of leaving the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.
In his most recent spell at the Globe Arena, Adams has managed 45 games. In this time he has picked up 12 wins, six draws and 27 defeats.
Player to Watch
Experienced Striker, Lee Angol comes into the game in hot form. He has found the net in his last three games with goals against Barrow, MK Dons and the winner against AFC Wimbledon.
Angol’s strike partner is Andrew Dallas who is on loan from Solihull Moors. Dallas enjoyed a successful spell at Solihull where he scored 37 goals in 88 games before moving to the Football League. However, he has since found minutes and goals hard to come by. He has scored five goals this season which includes three for Barrow where he spent the first half of the season on loan.
On-Loan Liverpool defender Rhys Williams is expected to return to the Morecambe side this weekend. The former Vale loanee hasn’t played much since being sent off last month. However, after fellow defender Max Taylor was sent off last week, Williams may return to the starting XI.
Last Time We Met
Morecambe 0-1 Port Vale, Saturday 16th November 2024
The last five meetings between the sides have ended 1-0. Three of which have gone in the favour of Port Vale. The sides met in Lancashire earlier in the season and it was the Valiants who came away with the points.
The hosts had an excellent opportunity to take the lead in the first half when Adam Lewis won the ball down the left side before sending in a teasing ball which was met at the back post by Marcus Dackers who somehow missed from 2 yards out.
Vale’s first chance came moments later when Conor Grant’s searching cross was met a diving header from Jayden Stockley who headed over. Moments later, Vale came close again when Brandon Cover’s low cross was fired wide by Ruari Paton who seemed to have more time than he thought.
On the half-hour mark Vale thought they had taken the lead, but the referee had other ideas. Ronan Curtis’ deep cross was headed down by Brandon Cover at the back post and then turned home by Ruari Paton. However, the referee had pulled up play for a foul on David Tutundo, committed by Cover.
In the second half, both sides pushed to go ahead and ten minutes from time, it was the hosts turn to have a goal chalked off. Jamie Stott ghosted in at the back post to turn home a deep cross, but he was adjudged to be offside by the linesman.
This was a huge decision as Vale went up the other end and took the lead in the 83rd minute. Benicio’s corner from the right was flicked on at the near post by Jayden Stockley and Ethan Chislett ghosted in at the back post to fire Vale into the lead and send the 1,389 travelling Valiants into raptures!
Ref Watch
Scott Oldham will take charge of Saturday’s fixture at Vale Park. He will be assisted by Thomas Cooke and Sam Wesson. Joseph Pettitt will be the fourth official.
Oldham last took charge of a Vale game last season when he oversaw our 2-0 home win against Bristol Rovers.
This season, Oldham has taken charge of a mixture of League One and Two games. Along with a handful of EFL Trophy and FA Cup games too
