Port Vale have the chance to continue our perfect start to the league campaign by making it three wins from three, when we welcome League Two newcomers Harrogate Town to Vale Park. You can find all of the key information regarding the game, below.
Fixture: Port Vale vs Harrogate Town
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Saturday 26th September
Kick-Off: 3:00 pm
Venue: Vale Park
Referee: Ben Toner
Port Vale
Manager: John Askey
Form: WDWLW
Top Goal Scorer: Mark Cullen (2 goals)
The Valiants have started the league campaign in fine fashion, picking up back-to-back wins so far, with the most recent being an away win over promotion hopefuls Exeter City thanks to goals from Tom Conlon and Devante Rodney.
Tom Conlon produced an impress string of displays in pre-season and has carried the form through to the 2020/21 campaign, scoring our first free-kick since his effort against Lincoln City back in October 2018 - before slipping through a perfectly-weighted assist for the onrushing Devante Rodney who finished superbly.
So far the Vale have also been able to keep consecutive clean sheets in the league so will be hoping they can keep that going when we take on the Sulphurites for the first time ever.
John Askey will have a challenge on his hands to pick his starting XI as each player has shown why they should be featuring from the off, with a fully fit squad at the gaffer’s disposal, although Tom Pope will miss out as he serves his final game of suspension.
“They’ll get plenty of balls into the box, they’re a hard working team and they can cause you plenty of problems.”
John Askey, Port Vale Manager
Harrogate Town
Manager: Simon Weaver
Form: DWLDW
Top Goal Scorer: Jack Muldoon (3 goals)
Harrogate got off to a dream start to their first ever time in the football league when they defeated Tranmere Rovers 4-0 on the road and maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-2 draw with Walsall at home.
They come into the game off the back of a mid-week win over Notts County in the Buildbase FA Trophy on Tuesday night, seeing them advance to the final of the competition.
Simon Weaver will also have a fully fit squad at his disposal as goalkeeper James Belshaw returns to action following a hand injury.
One to watch: Jack Muldoon
Muldoon joined Harrogate Town in June 2018, bringing a wealth of National League experience along with him having featured for both Fylde and Lincoln.
The forward found success at both clubs, with him gaining a promotion to the Football League with The Imps and scoring The Coasters Goal of the Season against Macclesfield during 2017/18.
He had a dream start to life with the Town, finishing the 2018/19 season as their top scorer with 18 goals.
He has appeared to continue that form this season, scoring a brace against Tranmere in their season opener and finding the net again against Walsall.
Talk:
John Askey: “They’re a good side, they’ve been together for a couple of years now, they know each other’s play and they’ve been successful.”
Simon Weaver: “They’re a good hard working team, they’ve won two on the bounce not through look and they’ve got a goal threat in midfield as well as pace out wide.”
Coverage:
iFollow The Vale will be providing full 90-minute coverage of the match for all domestic supporters, whilst the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feeds will be providing live updates for the entirety.
To purchase an iFollow match pass click here.
There will also be the build-up to the game with the official Snapchat and Instagram accounts: @officialpvfc
Reaction will be available on the website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and our official social media channels.