Port Vale face Walsall away this Saturday aiming to turn their first win of the season into a run of form. The match at the Bescot Stadium kicks off at 11:30 UTC and sees a Vale side sitting 22nd in League Two take on opponents currently fifth in the table.
Darren Moore’s side ended a four-game winless streak last weekend with a 1-0 home victory over Exeter City. George Byers scored the decisive penalty in the 70th minute, securing three vital points. That result lifted Vale to 5 points from their opening six matches, though they remain seven points behind early leaders Barnet.
Their recent form shows a mix of resilience and frustration. Before the Exeter win, they suffered narrow away defeats to Salford City and Swindon Town, either side of goalless and score draws at home.
Walsall present a tough challenge, having lost just once in the league this campaign. Their last outing was a goalless draw at Exeter City. Vale’s lineup from the win is expected to provide the blueprint, with J. Smith in goal behind a back three of K. John, L. Montsma and C. Hall. The midfield quartet of J. Lawrence-Gabriel, K. Dempsey, B. Garrity and J. Headley will be tasked with supplying forwards G. Byers, B. Waine and O. Lynch.
Securing back-to-back wins would be a significant boost for a squad looking to climb the standings. The focus now shifts entirely to preparation for the trip to the West Midlands.
