The Valiants kick off our Bristol Street Motors campaign on Tuesday evening as we make the trip to Peninsula Stadium to take on Salford City.
This will be the second meeting between the two teams in ten days. The sides met on the opening day of the season and Ben Garrity’s brace earned Vale all three points in Greater Manchester.
Vale come into the game off the back of a 0-0 draw against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday following our opening-day win, maintaining our unbeaten start to the league campaign.
Gaffer's Thoughts:
Here’s what Darren Moore had to say following Saturday’s stalemate:
“I thought their manager earned a point there with changing the system. I thought we were getting around the sides of them and through them.”
“If it was this type of game last season we might not have come away with anything. So, that’s a positive sign. We take a point and move on.”
“The pleasing thing is we have one or two more strong players that we can add to the squad who will hopefully challenge and make the squad better again.”
Bristol Street Motors 2023/24
The Valiants finished 2nd in Group B last season after picking up five points in the three games.
Vale beat Crewe Alexandra in the first game of the campaign thanks to Ben Garrity’s first-half goal. A month later, Vale drew 1-1 against Newcastle United U21s but then won 3-2 on penalties to earn a bonus point. In the last game of the campaign, we made the trip to the Racecourse Ground to take on a strong Wrexham side who won 2-1 against a young Vale side.
In the second round, Vale were drawn away to Bolton Wanderers. The hosts ran out 2-0 winners, ending Vale’s 2023/24 Bristol Street Motors campaign.
The Opposition
Salford City come into the game off the back of a 0-0 draw against Bradford City on Saturday.
The Ammies are yet to score in a competitive game this season after a 2-0 loss to Port Vale on the opening day, a 2-0 defeat against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup and then the recent 0-0 draw at Valley Parade.
Last season, Salford failed to get out of the group stage in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. However they did have Bolton Wanderers, Stockport County and Manchester United U21s in their group.
The Ammies lost to Bolton and Stockport but beat Manchester United U21s. However, this was not enough to see them qualify for the knockout stages.
WHO’S IN CHARGE? - Karl Robinson
Former MK Dons manager Karl Robinson is in charge of Salford City after he took the reins in January 2024 following the departure of Neil Wood. The former Kidsgrove Athletic player joined the football club after leaving Leeds United where he was part of their first team coaching staff.
Robinson didn’t have the greatest start to life as Salford City manager as he was sent off in his dugout debut against Forest Green Rovers after just 14 minutes when he interfered with a throw-in.
His side went on to draw the game 2-2 which earnt Robinson his first point out of 28 that he would pick in the 2023/24 season.
Karl Robinson is joined in the dugout by Alex Bruce which further strengthens the link between Salford City and Manchester United.
Last Time We Met
Salford City 0-2 Port Vale, Saturday 10th August 2024.
The sides met on the opening day of the 2024/25 Skybet League Two season and it was the Vale who came away with all three points.
Ben Garrity gave Vale the lead on the stoke of half time when he poked home a rebound following Ben Heneghan’s header. Garrity then doubled his side's lead in the second when he rose highest to powerfully head Ronan Curtis’ corner into the back of the net from close range.
