2⃣Port Vale vs Northampton-pREVIEW

The Cobblers play their first game away from home of the season after the narrow 1-0 loss against Walsall in the fist game of the season, the lads are hoping to get a win and 3 points on the board.

In this preview we will get you up to date with everything you need to know before today's game including; Last 6 games, Biggest Win, Head to Head, Summer signings and much much more.

Head to Head

The Cobblers have played Port Vale 72 times 37 of these games coming away from home for the Cobblers.

Last 6 AWAY meetings

Here is a look back at when the Cobblers met Port Vale in 2013;

League Two, Vale Park, 20/04/2013; Port Vale 2 - 2 Northampton Town

The Vale were placed onto the brink of automatic promotion thanks to an own goal by Northampton’s Lee Collins late in the game.

11,000 Vale fans piled into the ground and created a party atmosphere before kick-off, but their mood was soured when Northampton took the lead after just three minutes thanks to Clarke Carlisle’s close range goal.

Northampton’s Guttridge hit the bar with half-an-hour gone, and the momentum shifted, with Liam Chilvers equalised with a bullet header from Tom Pope’s cross in the 39th minute.

Promotion seemed to be slipping away when Roy O’Donovan scored a stunning 20-yard goal to put the Valiants behind.

However, when hope seemed lost, Northampton centre-back Collins sliced a Chris Birchall cross over Lee Nicholls and into his own net, reigniting the party as goal difference left the Valiants with almost certainty they would be in League One the next season.

Port Vale – Chris Neal, Liam Chilvers, Dan Jones, Adam Yates, Darren Purse (77’ Chris Shuker), Anthony Griffith (73’ Sam Morsy), Doug Loft, Louis Dodds (73’ Chris Birchall), Jennison Myrie-Williams, Lee Hughes, Tom Pope

Subs not used – Sam Johnson, John McCombe, Richard Duffy, Ryan Lloyd

Northampton Town – Lee Nicholls, Lee Collins, John Johnson, Clarke Carlisle, Ben Tozer, Luke Guttridge, Chris Hackett, Ben Harding, Lewis Hornby, Ray O’Donovan, David Moyo

Subs not used – Dean Snedker, Nathan Cameron, Claudio Dias, Jake Robinson, Adebayo Akinfenwa, Lewis Wilson

Attendance – 12,496

Biggest AWAY Win

Last time out

Colchester United 1 vs Port Vale 1

Luke Norris earned Colchester a point following a closely-contested 1-1 draw with Port Vale.

Vale made the perfect start, taking a fifth-minute lead through Tom Pope, who scored from the penalty spot after Tom Lapslie fouled the impressive Manny Oyeleke in the box.

Colchester pressed for an equaliser after that, with Valiants goalkeeper Scott Brown twice denying Frank Nouble and also saving from Cohen Bramall.

David Amoo's glancing header from David Worrall's cross flew inches wide for Vale before Colchester levelled just before half-time through Norris, who pounced to score from close range after Luke Prosser had headed Jevani Brown's pass into his path.

The second half proved a somewhat less eventful affair, with Brown's fierce shot flying just over for the U's while at the other end, keeper Dean Gerken did well to prevent Kane Vincent-Young from scoring an own goal.

Colchester almost won it in the closing stages when Luke Gambin was denied by Brown and Oyeleke went close for Vale, but the points were shared.

Port Vale's Summer Signings

Port Vale have a few injury concerns for the trip to Essex. Midfielder Cristian Montano picked up a hamstring problem during a pre-season friendly and his return to full training is being monitored.

Ryan Lloyd is carrying an ankle injury and winger Rhys Browne, a summer signing from Yeovil, has a hamstring problem. Goalkeeper Jonny Maddison has signed following a successful trial, while new recruits David Amoo, Marc Cullen and Richie Bennett will all be hoping to be involved.

Match Officials

David Rock has been confirmed as the official who will take charge of Port Vale V Northampton, having officiated 35 games across all National League and EFL competitions last season.

23 National League games

9 Premier League 2 games

1 FA Cup game

1 Challenge Cup

1 National League Playoff Game

Across the 35 games officiated by Rock, he handed out a total of 84 yellow cards and one red card.

Rock has not refereed the Cobblers prior to this Saturday.

His assistants on Saturday will be Christopher Ward and Robert Atkin with Wade Smith taking on the role as fourth official.