Latics vs. Port Vale

Sky Bet League Two - Matchday 17

19 November 2021

Latics return to Sky Bet League Two action this weekend as they welcome the high-flying Port Vale to Boundary Park (3pm KO).

Last time out saw Keith Curle’s men exit the Emirates FA Cup as Sky Bet League One side Ipswich Town came from behind to claim a 2-1 win.

Form Guide

Port Vale are one of the most in form sides in the division and their impressive run is showcased by the fact that they have lost just one of their previous 13 games.

None of their last seven in all competitions have seen Vale taste defeat, with five of them resulting in a win.

As well as good form in the league, the Valiants have also shown their quality in the FA Cup where they impressively despatched higher league opposition Accrington Stanley 5-1.

Last time out, they were forced to settle for a share of the points as Bradford City equalised in the 74^th minute to claim a point.

It is no surprise that this form has Vale right amongst it at the top of the division as they are currently in the automatic promotion spaces, occupying second place.

The Valiants’ Last Six:

Port Vale 1-1 Bradford city
Port Vale 5-0 Liverpool Under 21s (Papa John’s Trophy)
Port Vale 5-1 Accrington Stanley (FA Cup Round One)
Crawley Town 1-4 Port Vale
Port Vale 3-0 Colchester United
Mansfield Town 1-1 Port Vale

Visit the Live Match Centre to access form guides, live text commentary and live audio commentary

Head-to-Head

Meetings: 83

Latics wins: 29
Port Vale wins: 33
Draws: 21

Scored - 111
Conceded - 100

During last season, Vale picked up four of the possible six points from the fixtures against Latics.

The last time that they met came in March 2021 at Vale Park, the outcome was a rare goalless draw.

At Boundary Park, Vale won the clash 2-1. Zak Dearnley’s 49^th minute goal proved to just be a consolation effort following first half strikes from Nathan Smith and Mitch Clark for the visitors.

The last time Latics won against Vale came in December 2018. Goals from Callum Lang, Mohamed Maouche, Gevaro Nepomuceno and Chris O’Grady saw Oldham win 4-1 at Vale Park.

Familiar Faces

There are a few familiar faces in the Port Vale squad.

Firstly, Latics fans will remember Ben Garrity.

Ben Garrity.jpg

The 24-year-old midfielder spent the duration of last season on loan at Boundary Park.

During his time with Latics, Garrity played 39 times in all competitions and he scored four times.

He arrived at Oldham on loan from Blackpool but his move to Vale Park is a permanent one. So far, he has featured 17 times for him new club, scoring on three occasions.

Elsewhere, David Worrall also had a loan spell with Oldham.

David Worrall.jpg

In January 2014, Worrall arrived on loan at Boundary Park from divisional rivals Rotherham United.

His loan move proved to be a pretty successful one with the winger playing 18 times for Latics.

After Oldham, Worrall featured for Southend United and Millwall before arriving at Vale Park in August 2017.

He has been a regular feature in the Vale side since, going on to make over 150 appearances for the club.

In The Dugout

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

Darrell Clarke.jpg

Clarke took over in February 2021 and he has had a good impact since arriving. He has largely overhauled the playing staff and Vale find themselves in a significantly better position now than when he took over.

It is the 43-year old’s fourth job in management, his previous spells came at Salisbury City, Bristol Rovers and Walsall.

As a player, Clarke represented Mansfield Town, Hartlepool United, Stockport County, Port Vale, Rochdale and Salisbury City.

Sky Bet Odds

The bookies clearly believe that Vale are set to carry on their impressive run and they are priced at 10/11 to secure maximum points on the road.

Latics are 14/5 to get a big three points and 12/5 is available on the points to be shared.

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

How To Follow The Game

Club News

20112021 Port Vale Programme

19 November 2021

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

Latics 3-2 Port Vale

20 November 2021

Latics produced a stunning comeback as they secured a well-earned victory in stoppage time which ended Port Vale’s impressive unbeaten run.

David Worrall began the scoring with a cultured finish before Davis Keillor-Dunn headed his side level before the interval.

James Gibbons, who put on an impressive display, restored the visitors lead in front of the travelling contingent. However, Sam Hart became the hero for Oldham as he smashed past their goalkeeper to equalise with minutes to spare.

In added time, Hart fired another effort goalwards which took a deflection off visiting defender Aaron Martin to wrong-foot Lucas Covolan and secure a vital three points for his team.

Keith Curle opted for fives changes for the clash against the Valiants with Jamie Hopcutt, Ouss Cisse, Sam Hart, Zak Dearnley and Nicky Adams back in the starting XI. Dylan Bahamboula was unavailable for selection due to illness and Tottenham Hotspur loanee Jamie Bowden missed out through suspension.

Latics’ shot-stopper was called into action as he kept Tom Conlon at bay inside the opening 20 minutes. Their skipper received possession on the edge of the box before he adjusted his posture to curl an effort goalwards, but Jayson Leutwiler denied him.

Darrell Clarke’s side broke the deadlock through a former Latic in the 20^thminute of the encounter. Gibbons rallied down the left-hand side and he delivered a low cross into the danger zone which found Worrall at the back post, the wideman remained composed to fire his ball into the roof of the net.

Dearnley looked to get his name on the scoresheet but found their ‘keeper in fine form. First, the forward picked up the ball inside the penalty area before he witnessed Covolan parry his curled effort away. Following that, his long-distance strike was easily saved by the Brazilian goalkeeper, who remarkably scored in the Vanarama National League play-off final in June 2021.

However, Keillor-Dunn found a way past Covolan in the 32^ndminute to get his team level. Carl Piergianni managed to steer the ball towards the attack-minded player inside the six-yard box and, he coolly flicked his header into the back of the net.

In the 41^stminute, there was a heartfelt moment as fans around the ground partook in a minute’s applause to show their support for Latics fan, Michael Taylor. Mike’s currently struggling with Covid-19 in hospital and we hope that he returns to health as soon as possible.

After the restart, the Burslem-based outfit should’ve taken the lead again. Ben Garrity, a midfielder that spent the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Latics, teed up Gibbons inside the box, but the full-back smashed his strike over Leutwiler’s crossbar from a promising position.

Although, Gibbons would go on to give Vale the advantage after persistent work from David Amoo on the right-flank. The winger burst into a crossing position before he picked out the full-back with a low delivery and their academy product blasted his effort past Leutwiler which led to an eruption in the away end behind the goal.

Harrison McGahey nearly made it two goals in two games for himself, but he was thwarted by their number one between the sticks. The ball landed at the central-defender’s feet inside the six-yard box and he fizzed an attempt on target, but Covolan put his body on the line to prevent the scoreline from being level.

The visitors went in search for a third and Conlon, calm and composed throughout the 90 minutes, witnessed his powerful driven strike cannon off the far post to the relief of the Latics ‘keeper.

After applying plenty of pressure on Port Vale, once again, Oldham got themselves on level terms in the match. Hart picked the ball inside the six-yard box, and he fired past Covolan before reeling away with a passionate celebration.

In the 93^rdminute, Latics dramatically found the winner as Hart’s strike was deflected past the goalkeeper by his own defender causing bedlam on and off the pitch. This is the first-time that Oldham have beaten Vale on home turf since August 2013 when Adam Rooney scored a brace and James Dayton netted a stunning strike.

Oldham Athletic XI – Leutwiler (GK), Clarke (Couto 59’), Hart, Cisse (Hope 55’), McGahey, Piergianni ©, Adams (Fage 59’), Whelan, Keillor-Dunn, Dearnley, Hopcutt.

Unused Subs: Southerington (GK), Stobbs, Bettache, Simms.

Goals: Keillor-Dunn 31’, Hart 81’, 93’

Port Vale XI – Covolan (GK), Gibbons, Jones, Worrall (Legge 77’), Garrity (Taylor 77’), Conlon ©, Martin, Amoo (Politic 85’), Rodney, Pett, Cass.

Unused Subs: Stone (GK), Walker, Johnson, Lloyd.

Goals: Worrall 20’, Gibbons 52’

Attendance: 6,080 (1,973 away)

Referee – Carl Brook