By Deadly Submarine
March 16 2007

All the News and Statistics ahead of Rovers visit to Port Vale on Saturday afternoon in Coca-Cola League One. Rovers will be looking to make a return to the play-off places after slipping out of the top six following Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Swansea City.

 

 

 

Saturday 17^th March 2007 – Kick-Off 3.00pm

 

Coca-Cola League One at Vale Park

 

 

Following two recent home games in succession, it seems like ages since the Superwhite Army were on the road for a match with the last away trip being the visit to Leyton Orient three Saturday’s ago.

 

This time though, most Rovers fans will not have as far to travel as they make one their shortest trips of the season to Vale Park to face Port Vale.

 

Rovers have been in erratic form since the turn of the year with their last six results showing two wins, two draws and two defeats with the latest being the disappointing 2-0 reverse at home to Swansea last week in what was a crucial match for both sides.

 

Away from home, Rovers’ recent win at Yeovil has been their only away victory of 2007 with the other four games this year being defeats at the hands of Oldham, Leyton Orient, Gillingham and Bristol City although the defeat at Leyton Orient in Rovers last away trip was not helped by only having one regular first team defender available due to injuries and suspensions as Rovers lost 3-1.

 

Port Vale go into this game on the back of an excellent 5-1 win away at seemingly doomed Rotherham United last Saturday in a game which saw Akpo Sodje claim four of the goals for himself as ex-Rovers player Delroy Facey grabbed the Millers a consolation.

 

Indeed the Valiant’s front two of Sodje and Leon Constantine have landed 33 goals between them this season already which means that Rovers back-line will have to be on guard this Saturday as much as ever.

 

In the earlier meeting of the two teams this season back in September, Vale inflicted Rovers first home defeat of the season thanks to first-half goals from Jeff Smith and that man Constantine with the visitors winning 2-1 after Greenacre pulled goal back for the hosts on the hour mark.

 

That game was more memorable for Vale’s time-wasting tactics even before they took the lead which ruined the game and didn’t do anything for Vale’s reputation.  Hopefully this game will be slightly better both in terms of the result and the game itself.

 

For those making the short trip to Stoke, get behind the lads and enjoy the game.

 

 

Port Vale

 

Vale Boss Martin Foyle has no fresh injury worries prior to this game and is expected to name the same starting eleven that won 5-1 away at Rotherham last Saturday.

 

Malvin Kamara has recovered from a knee injury and will be in contention for the home side.

 

Tranmere Rovers

 

Rovers will be without long-term absentees John Achterberg and John Thompson (both knee) for the trip to the Potteries.

 

Thompson is thought to be around a week away from full training whilst goalkeeper Achterberg is not expected to play again this season.

 

Match Referee – Danny McDermid (London)

 

 

Port Vale:

 

Last Six At Home – DLWWWD

Last Six Games – WWDLWL

 

Season Stats (At Home):

P18      W9       D3        L6         F23       A20

 

Season Stats (All Matches):

P37      W15     D5        L17       F48       A47

 

Tranmere Rovers:

 

Last Six Away – DLLLWL

Last Six Games – DLLWWD

 

Season Stats (Away):

P18      W4       D6        L8         F17       A21

 

Season Stats (All Matches):

P37      W15     D11      L11       F45       A37

 

 

Port Vale:  Leon Constantine - 21 Goals

 

Tranmere Rovers: Chris Greenacre - 16 Goals

 

 

2^nd September 2006 – Coca-Cola League One – Prenton Park

 

Tranmere Rovers  1 – 2  Port Vale

Greenacre 57                            Smith 31                                  

                                                  Constantine 45

 

 

Attendance: 7,866

 

Referee: Mick Russell (Hertfordshire)

 

 

31^st March 2006 – Coca-Cola League One – Prenton Park

 

Tranmere Rovers 3 – 0  Port Vale

Zola 28

O’Leary 58

Davies 78                        

 

Attendance: 6,926

 

Referee: Nigel Miller (County Durham)

 

 

31^st December 2005 – Coca-Cola League One – Vale Park

 

Port Vale  0 - 2 Tranmere Rovers

                            Harrison 8

                            Greenacre 90

 

 

Attendance: 4,489

 

Referee: Carl Boyeson (East Yorkshire)

 

                                               

All Matches:

P68      W26     D19      L23       F92       A87

 

At Vale Park:

P34      W6       D12      L16       F30       A48

 

Port Vale Official Website  

 

Port Vale Mad Site

 

Port Vale Rivals Site

 

One Vale Fan Site