Port Vale will look to make it three wins in a week when we welcome Colchester United to Vale Park on Saturday. With the game just a day away, we look back on two classic encounters we have had with the U’s.
League Two, Vale Park, Saturday 15th February 2020: Port Vale 3-0 Colchester United
Mark Cullen scored twice as Port Vale moved into the League Two play-off positions with a convincing win against Colchester United at Vale Park.
Tom Conlon put the home side in front in the 14th minute before striker Cullen struck a brace in the second half as Vale recorded their third consecutive victory.
The hosts showed their potency in attack in the opening period and broke the deadlock when Rhys Browne outpaced Ryan Jackson and slipped the ball through to Conlon, who blasted it past goalkeeper Dean Gerken.
Cristian Montano then went close for Vale before defender Leon Legge cleared Colchester midfielder Ben Stevenson's shot off the line.
Vale doubled their advantage in the 54th minute after Harry Pell failed to deal with David Worrall's ball, which Cullen latched on to and slotted home.
And they made sure of the three points in the 72nd minute, when the former Blackpool striker met Luke Joyce's pass and struck the ball beyond Gerken.
Port Vale: Brown, Smith, Legge, Brisley, Montano, Joyce, Burgess, Conlon, Worrall, Cullen (Bennett, 87), Browne.
Subs not used: Oyeleke, Atkinson, Evans, Lloyd, Campbell-Gordon, Maddison.
Colchester: Gerken, Jackson, Bramall, Prosser, Pell (Gambin, 73) Robinson, Comley (Norris, 61) Stevenson, Eastman, Senior (Poku 54), Nouble.
Subs not used: Ross, Clampin, Sowunmi, Harriott.
Att. 5,199
Division Two, Vale Park, Saturday 23rd August 2003: Port Vale 4-3 Colchester United
Billy Paynter and Ian Armstrong inspired a magnificent second-half comeback to keep Port Vale at the top of Division Two as Brian Horton's side clinched an entertaining win.
Colchester had dominated the opening 45 minutes and Scott McLeish’s double gave the visitors a 2-1 lead at half-time, although Sam Collins' reply kept Vale in contention.
And the hosts took full advantage when substitute Paynter, who had replaced Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, slotted his side's second after collecting Steve Brooker's knock-down.
Armstrong then gave Vale the lead by sweeping home a volley, and moments later Adrian Littlejohn's cross allowed Stephen McPhee to settle the clash.
Colchester did pull a goal back but substitute Wayne Andrews' late tap-in failed to spark a revival as Vale held on to claim victory.
Port Vale: Delaney, Pilkington, Walsh, Collins, Cummins, Lipa, Bridge-Wilkinson (Armstrong 45), Littlejohn, Brown, Brooker (Paynter 45), McPhee.
Subs not used: Brisco, Boyd, Brain.
Colchester: Brown, Stockley, Fitzgerald, White (Baldwin 50), Myers, Duguid, Pinault (Bowry 67), Izzet, Keith, McGleish, Fagan (Andrews 72).
Subs not used: Vine, McKinney.
Att. 5,133