The Valiants are back in action on Tuesday as we welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s to Vale Park in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy
This will be Vale’s second group game after an opening 2-0 victory over Salford City last month. Diamond Edwards and Ruari Paton both found the net in the second half to ensure that Vale go into tonight’s game sat on top of the group.
The Opposition
Wolves play in Premier League Two Division One and after three games they sit fourth bottom after picking up just one point in so far this season. This point came on Saturday when they drew 1-1 at Brighton. Josh Esen gave Wolves the lead before Louis Flower earned a point for the Seagulls. Their other two games have ended in defeat against Nottingham Forest where they lost 2-0, and Arsenal where they lost 3-1 at home.
Last season, Wolves finished 3rd in their Bristol Street Motors Trophy group after picking up three points. Their only win of the campaign came against Notts County where they won 2-1 at Meadow Lane. In the other games, they lost to Derby County and Lincoln City.
Who’s in Charge?
Former Crewe Alexandra assistant manager James Collins is currently in charge of the Wolves U21s side.
The 46-year-old joined the club in 2021 when we made the move from the Alexandra Stadium alongside former Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis. Initially, Collins joined as Assistant Manager but has since stepped up to head coach of the U21 side at Molineux.
Collins has also been involved in the first team in 2022 when he was part of the interim coaching staff following the sacking of Bruno Lage. However, His first team stint only lasted eight games before Julian Lopetegui came in and took over the reins.
Player to Watch – Alfie Pond
Pond is one of the only players in the Wolves side with any experience of men’s football. The 20-year-old defender has had played for clubs like Yeovil Town, Exeter City and more recently Stockport County where he played nine games in their promotion winning 2023/24 League Two campaign before returning to Wolves in January.
Alfie also has one Wolves First Team appearance to his name after he was a late substitute in Wolves’ 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Blackpool in August last season.
Fixture Throwback
Port Vale 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s, Tuesday 18th October 2022
The sides met in group C back in the 2022/23 season and it was the Valiants who eventually came out on top after two late goals.
Mal Benning gave Vale the lead in the 80th minute when his free kick from the right found its way through the wall and into the bottom corner. Vale’s lead was doubled three minutes from time when Mipo Odubeko headed David Worrall’s cross into the bottom corner to earn Vale all three points.
