Port Vale: Pre-match stats ahead of Vale's League Two clash with Chesterfield

PREVIOUS MEETING

March 28, 2009 – League Two

CHESTERFIELD 2

(Lester 68, 74)

PORT VALE 1

(Marshall 77)

JOE Anyon's season came to an abrupt end at Saltergate when the goalkeeper sustained a broken leg.

Anyon had made some fine saves before he fractured his tibia in the 38th minute when he bravely threw himself into a challenge with the blameless Drew Talbot.

Vale's subsequent defeat was put firmly into perspective as Anyon faced up to a lengthy lay-off which ended in September.

His misfortune handed Chris Martin, Vale's current number one, the chance to shine between the sticks.

But Martin could not prevent Jack Lester from hitting a decisive second-half brace.

Loan midfielder Paul Marshall hit a consolation goal by sweeping home a free-kick from deep on the right.

Chesterfield: Lee, Wilson, Hall, Downes, Robertson, Lowry (Boden, 66), Niven, Montrose (Gray, 89), Till (Kerry, 87), Lester, Talbot.

Port Vale: Anyon (Martin, 41), Stockley, McCombe, Prosser, Edwards, Dodds, Howland, Griffith, Marshall, R Taylor (Lawrie, 73), Richards (Richman, 46).

Attendance: 3,511.

FORM GUIDE

Port Vale: WWDDWL

Chesterfield: LWDLWW

WHO WE'D LIKE TO BUY

Adam Rundle: The midfielder produced a man-of-the-match display on debut in Saturday's 2-1 home victory over Lincoln. The 25-year-old joined Chesterfield from leaders Rochdale and is known for being a skilful and pacy winger.

WHO TO BOO

Aaron Downes: In last season's corresponding fixture, the defender clashed with Marc Richards, pictured right, in an incident that ultimately saw the Vale striker sent off. Downes was soon sufficiently recovered from the spat to score the game's only goal.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire): The vastly experienced referee has been on the Football League list for more than a decade. This season he has been a busy boy issuing eight red cards in 20 games, while he has also dished out 80 yellows.

PROBABLE TEAMS

Port Vale: Martin, Yates, Collins, Owen, K Taylor, Haldane, Fraser, Griffith, Rigg, Richards, Davies.

Chesterfield: Lee, Gray, Downes, Breckin, Page, Goodall, Niven, Rundle, Allott , Gritton, Conlon.

PREDICTION

VALE get back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory. Back Marc Richards to net his 15th goal of the campaign and Lewis Haldane to mark his return from suspension by scoring his second goal for the club.