In-form Cheltenham Town are back on the road this Saturday as the Robins travel to Stoke-on-Trent to face Port Vale in Sky Bet League Two (kick-off 3pm).
Gary Johnson’s men are undefeated in five league games – with four wins clocked up, including a derby day success over Swindon Town last weekend courtesy of Danny Wright’s stoppage time winner.
Cheltenham also won a league game away from the LCI Rail Stadium for the first time since February with their last outing, a convincing 2-0 victory over Chesterfield.
Port Vale, by comparison, have won just once this season in 12 league outings, a 3-1 win on the opening day against Crawley Town, and yet to win on home soil.
The Opposition:
He said: “The team are conceding too many goals and not scoring enough. We deserve to be where we are. Football doesn’t change that much; the priority has to be what we do in both boxes.
“On Saturday we started the game well and had a good tempo and we looked like scoring goals, but in the second half we looked vulnerable and for a 20-minute spell we looked like we would concede. So, we must do better in both boxes.
“You are always where you deserve to be and at the moment this is where we deserve to be, but we can get out of it. But it is down to the players on the pitch. They have to be accountable and responsible for their jobs and it is down to them to get us out of the position we are in.”
Team News:
Cheltenham team news: Freddie Hinds will come back into contention, after missing the victory over Swindon through illness. Midfielder Kevin Dawson is also pushing for a return after a knee injury. Jaanai Gordon and Jordon Forster remain long-term injury casualties.
Port Vale team news: The clash at Vale Park is likely to come too soon for winger Cristian Montano. The Colombian, who has been out for the past six weeks with a hamstring injury, stepped up his comeback by playing for the reserves in midweek but he is not yet considered ready for first-team action.
The man in the middle:
Lancashire official Scott Oldham – who has handed out 22 yellow cards and two red card in nine league and cup games this season - will take charge of the league encounter at Vale Park. A self-employed joiner away football, he handed out 49 yellow cards in 18 games last season without sending a single player off as he was promoted to the EFL referee list. Referee Oldham took charge of Cheltenham’s win over Crawley at the start of the season. He will be assisted by David Plowright, Joe Simpson and fourth official Matthew Parry.
Last time we met:
29/03/12 – Port Vale 3-2 Cheltenham (L2)
15/12/12 – Cheltenham 1-1 Port Vale (L2)
02/01/12 – Port Vale 1-2 Cheltenham (L2)
19/11/11 – Cheltenham 2-0 Port Vale (L2)
22/01/11 – Port Vale 0-1 Cheltenham (L2)
Ticket Information:
We are taking bookings NOW for a second coach to Port Vale away this Saturday in Sky Bet League Two – and tickets for the clash at Vale Park remain on sale on Friday.
Tickets for this match are on sale until Friday at 2pm from our Ticket Office.
Prices from our office can be seen below and please note that there will be a £2 increase if purchased on the day at the stadium at the away ticket kiosk – please note, this is a cash only kiosk.
Adults 22-61 - £20
Seniors 62+ - £15
Young Adults 18-21 - £15
Juniors 12-17 - £8
Under 12s - FREE
Carers – FREE
A second coach is now travelling to Port Vale – but please act quickly to ensure a place! The bus will at 11am with places available for the following prices:
Members: £14 adults, £12 concessions
Non-members: £16 adults, £14 concessions
For further information call the Ticket Office at the LCI Rail Stadium on 01242 573558 (option 1) or email our Ticket Office Manager, Luke James, via tickets@ctfc.com