Port Vale vs Bromley preview

Apr 10, 2025

We are now at the business end of the season, and for Port Vale that means holding on to their spot in the top three.

In their way stands Bromley. The non-league upstarts have made the pre-season pundits eat their words by exceeding expectations in their inaugural season in League Two.

While play-off talk has been all but abandoned at Chez Hayes Lane, it is still mathematically possible for the Ravens to reach the postseason.

In that regard, who could blame them for going to Vale Park on Saturday and not just trying to win but expecting to win?

When the teams played each other just before Christmas, the two sides turned in a 0-0 classic, with Michael Cheek and goalkeeper Connor Ripley engaging in a personal duel that saw the then Port Vale custodian win out.

If you can’t recall that fixture, it was the game with the goal that wasn’t. To the relief of the Hayes Lane faithful, both the referee and assistant referee failed to notice that Port Vale’s goal-bound shot had crossed the line (and not by a slim margin, either).

Connor Ripley has since departed to Swindon Town, and that wasn’t Port Vale’s only piece of transfer business in the January window.

Three loanees joined the club in the shape of Finn Ashworth (Wolves), Nathan Broome (Swansea City), and Jemiah Umolu (Crystal Palace). In addition, defender Jaheim Headley joined permanently from Huddersfield Town.

Despite their position in the top three, it’s been a strangely up-and-down season for Port Vale. The draw at Bromley came in a sequence of games where they only picked up 4 points from a possible 21.

However, they have upped their form since the turn of the year, picking up 36 points from a possible 54. Most notably, their last three games have seen them take down Walsall, Bradford City, and Crewe Alexandra. Make no mistake, they are a team on the charge.

To the surprise of no one who properly studied the National League last season, Lorent Tolaj leads the way for Port Vale in goal contributions. The Swiss frontman has 18 goal contributions in League Two. He is so good that if Port Vale don’t get promoted, I can see a bigger club tempting Port Vale with a big offer in the summer.

Not far behind him is his strike partner, Jayden Stockley, who has 16 goal contributions of his own.

There are of course other threats, but if you stop those two you have to fancy you can get at least a point.

Port Vale have the third-best defence in League Two, but since when has Michael Cheek or Bromley cared about any club’s reputation?

When Bromley pitched up at AFC Wimbledon the other month, the Dons had the best defence in the league, but the Ravens proceeded to Bromley them.

You have to assume that will be the plan at Vale Park on Saturday. You know by now that Andy Woodman stresses the importance of defensive solidity first and foremost. Secure that solid foundation and Bromley will always create moments, and if one of those moments falls to Michael Cheek, it will go in the net.

I was informed earlier this week that Michael played in Port Vale’s youth system from the age of 10 to 13. Port Vale’s loss, Bromley’s gain. What odds on League Two’s top goal scorer doing the dirt?

Bromley have been creating a lot of chances of late, so I don’t think there should be any doubt that they will do the same at Vale Park.

The only question is how Andy balances the setup to ensure the side has a robust defensive shape but with attacking outlets that let them spring on the counter.

This is what I would do. How about you?

From Bromley with Love XI

Smith

Grant Sowunmi Elerewe Mayor

Charles Arthurs

Imray Thompson Whitely

Cheek

From Bromley with love

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