Source: Northern_Echo
Matchfile: Darlington v Port Vale
DARLINGTON Knight Bains Foster Miller Bower Cook G Smith Chandler Porritt Thorpe Gall[LNB] Richards Dodds K Taylor Griffith Fraser Jorgensen R Taylor Owen McCombe Stockley Martin PORT VALE[LNB] Darlington subs (from): Liversedge (gk), Plummer, Bennett, Convery, Riley, Lumdson, J Smith, Groves, Windass, Main, Dowson Port Vale subs (from): Lloyd-Weston (gk), Horsfield, Yates, Lawrie, Collins, Richman, Thompson, Davidson[LNB] DARLINGTON: Kevin Gall is likely to make his debut against a club he spent a short loan spell with last season. He goes straight into the forward line while manager Colin Todd must decide whether to pair him with either David Dowson or Lee Thorpe. Loan signings Jordan Cook and Nathan Porritt keep their places while Rikki Bains makes his first start in place of the injured Paul Arnison. Suspensions: None Injuries: Arnison (hamstring), Gray (hamstring) Last five League games: LWLWD Next game: Cheltenham (H), 29/8/09[LNB] PORT VALE: Veteran Geoff Horsfield is fit to take his palce in the squad despite a cracked rib but fellow striker Rob Taylor (pelvis) is a doubt as Vale look for a first win. Experienced Danish midfielder is in line for a first start while full-back Adam Yates and striker Louis Dodds may earn recalls. Midfielder Simon Richman has returned to training recently after recovering from a groin strain but keeper Joe Anyon is not yet considered match fit as he recovers from a broken leg. Suspensions: None Injuries: Richman (groin) Last five League games: LDDWD Key player: Tommy Fraser - the midfielder, captain at only 21, has impressed Last season: 3-1 League head to head: Port Vale 15, Darlington 13, draws 12 Referee: Paul Tierney (Lanacashire) G1 Y0 R0 Av0 Last Darlington game: NA Odds: H11/10; A3/1; D12/5 It's a fact: Todays referee Paul Tierney says the 2008 play off semi-final second leg between Rochdale and Darlington, when he was linesman, is the best game he has officiated. Comment by Craig Stoddart: After three league losses, avoiding a defeat is imperative Prediction: 0-0[LNB]
