Port Vale vs. Latics

Sky Bet League Two - Matchday 41

8 April 2022

Latics take on Port Vale away from home as they look to make it three wins on the bounce in Sky Bet League Two (3pm KO).

Last time out, a 1-0 win over Stevenage saw John Sheridan’s men claim a huge three points and they will be looking to put further distance between themselves and the drop zone this time around.

A headed effort from Jamie Hopcutt in the first-half was enough to secure the victory.

Form Guide

This will be a very tough game for Latics, given the impressive form that their opponents find themselves in.

Without a defeat in the past seven, Vale have emerged as serious contenders for automatic promotion.

Six of those games have been wins, helping them climb the table.

Furthermore, they have been exceptionally well organised at the back having shipped just one goal from their previous four outings.

Currently in 3^rd place, Port Vale are three points above 4^th place having played the same number of goals.

The Valiants’ Last Six:

Salford 0-1 Port Vale
Barrow 1-2 Port Vale
Port Vale 2-0 Sutton United
Port Vale 0-0 Exeter City
Bradford City 1-2 Port Vale
Port Vale 3-1 Mansfield Town

Head-to-Head

Meetings: 84

Latics wins: 30
Port Vale wins: 33
Draws: 21

Scored - 114
Conceded - 102

Latics have lost just one of their previous five meetings with Vale, a game that came in October 2020.

Earlier in the season, Latics triumphed in a dramatic 3-2 win over Vale with a 93^rd minute own goal securing the points with Oldham’s other goals scored by Davis Keillor-Dunn and Sam Hart.

Watch Out For

James Wilson is a man capable of causing Latics’ backline some problems when the two sides meet.

James Wilson.jpg

Coming through the youth system at Manchester United, Wilson was tipped to go on to achieve great things in the game.

Whilst contracted to the Red Devils, Wilson made 20 appearances and scored four times whilst also enjoying loan spells with Brighton and Hove Albion, Derby County, Sheffield United and Aberdeen.

It was the latter club that became his second permanent club but he struggled to have an impact north of the border and ended up at Salford City in January 2020.

He joined his current club Vale in June 2021 and to date, he has 11 goals in 38 appearances.

The 26-year-old also boasts an international pedigree with caps at England youth level at under 16,19,20 and 21 level.

Familiar Face

Ben Garrity spent last season on loan at Boundary Park.

Ben Garrity - Two.jpg

The 25-year-old midfielder played 39 times for Latics during his temporary spell with the club and he scored four goals during that time.

He was on loan from Blackpool, where he never made an appearance.

After signing for the Valiants in June 2021, Garrity appears to have really kicked on.

He was nominated for September’s player of the month award and he has an impressive 11 goals to date across all competitions.

In The Dugout

Darrell Clarke is the man in the dugout for the hosts.

Darrell Clarke.jpg

The 44-year-old boss has been in charge since February 2021 after Port Vale managed to agree on a compensation package with his former club Walsall.

He has enjoyed a successful time with Vale so far and will be hoping to add promotion to his CV this season.

Elsewhere he has managed Salisbury City and Bristol Rovers.

Stadium

Vale Park

Port Vale - Vale Park 2.jpg

Opened: 1950

Capacity: 20,552

Record Attendance: 49,768 (vs. Aston Villa, February 1960)

Match Officials

The official in the middle for the game is Will Finnie.

Will Finnie.jpg

Toner last officiated a Latics game in September 2021 for our 1-0 derby win away at Rochdale. On that day, he handed out two yellow cards and zero red cards.

He's taken charge of 31 games, so far, this campaign, handing out a total of 66 yellow cards and four red cards.

Toner will be assisted by Daniel Flynn and Grant Taylor with Mark Cunliffe as the Fourth Official.

Sky Bet Odds

Promotion contenders Port Vale are ½ favourites to take all three points.

Latics are 11/2 to make it three wins on the bounce and the draw is at 29/10.

Please gamble responsibly by clicking here. For more information visit: www.begambleaware.org

How To Follow The Game

Ticket News

17032022 Port Vale Away Ticket News

7 April 2022

Live commentary is available on iFollow Latics with Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown who will be talking you through the match action.

Unfortunately, an iFollow match pass stream isn't available in the UK due to the 3pm blackout from broadcasters.

For more information, visit the iFollow Latics page by clicking here.

Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.

Match Reports

Port Vale 3-2 Latics

9 April 2022

Latics showed great character to twice battle back from behind but were unable claim anything from a hard-fought encounter against promotion-chasing Port Vale.

Christopher Missilou and Davis Keillor-Dunn were on target during the first half to cancel out a double from Jamie Proctor and although the visitors applied plenty of pressure, a long-range drive from Brad Walker proved decisive.

In many ways, it was a cruel result for Oldham, who were the equal of their third-placed opponents for large periods and had further chances in the second period to have drawn level again.

Sheridan rightly took encouragement from a battling display and Latics know they will have to show a similar level of performance in their remaining five fixtures as the quest to avoid relegation continues.

The first half was breathless with the attacking intent of both sides resulting in an entertainingly open spectacle.

Port Vale had won six of their previous seven games and they showed their credentials from the off. After a flurry of early pressure, Proctor put the hosts in front on ten minutes forcing the ball home after Connor Hall had won possession from the visitors’ defence.

Yet the response from Latics was instant, Missilou equalising with a stopping header after a piercing right-wing cross from Nicky Adams was touched back by Hallam Hope, allowing the midfielder to convert.

The end-to-end action continued, as Danny Rogers needed to be quick off his line to foil Ben Garrity, while Sam Hart sent a fine cross into the Port Vale area but Junior Luamba, on his return to the Latics line-up, was unable to make the necessary contact with his header.

Proctor put the hosts back in front, making a run to the far post to finish off a centre from Ryan Edmundson, but having come within inches of drawing level when Hart crashed a free-kick against the crossbar, Latics did restore parity again in added time.

Showing their battling qualities again, a free-kick from Adams was touched back by Will Sutton, allowing Keillor-Dunn to prod the ball in.

Having deservedly gone in at the break on level terms, Latics started the second period on the front foot again.

Keillor-Dunn bent a beautiful curling effort just wide of the post after a fine piece of individual skill and the attacking midfielder found himself on the end of another glorious chance, Adams whipping in a cross but he was just unable to make contact.

Port Vale, however, always posed a threat, and after chances for Garrity and James Wilson, the hosts regained the lead when Brad Walker found the bottom right-hand corner from range.

Latics continued to press as the game went on, Carl Piergianni assuming the role of makeshift striker in the latter stages, but despite seeing plenty of the ball in the final third, they were unable to fight back again.

Oldham Athletic: Rogers, Clarke, Hart, Piergianni, Adams, Whelan, Hope (Hopcutt 57), Keillor-Dunn, Missilou, Luamba (Jameson 80), Sutton.

Subs not used: Leutwiler, Diarra, Hunt, Couto, Vaughan.

Port Vale: Stone, Walker, Hall, Smith, Worrall (Edmundson 30, Hussey 57), Garrity, Wilson (Harratt 66), Benning, Proctor, Martin, Charsley.

Subs not used: Holy, Jones, Taylor, Amoo.

Referee: Will Finnie

Attendance: 8,384 (1,516)