Crewe Alexandra's strong start to the League Two season faces a significant test in their upcoming fixture against local rivals Port Vale. The Railwaymen are one of only two sides to win their opening two matches, a feat they also achieved last season on their way to winning their first three games.
According to a report from the BBC, Crewe currently hold second place with six points from two wins, having scored two goals and conceded none. This perfect defensive record will be vital as they prepare for a derby where recent history has not been kind. Port Vale are unbeaten in their last nine meetings across all competitions, winning six and drawing three of those encounters.
How have Crewe started the season?
Crewe Alexandra have begun the 2026-27 campaign with maximum points. They secured a 1-0 victory over Northampton Town on the opening day, followed by another 1-0 win against Crawley Town. This form has them sitting pretty in the automatic promotion spots early on. Their success has been built on a solid defence, with a goal difference of +2 from those two league games. You can track their progress on our standings page.
Their cup form has been mixed. They progressed in the League Cup with a 2-1 win against Accrington Stanley but were then eliminated by Barnsley in a 3-2 defeat. A pre-season friendly against Chester ended in a goalless draw.
What is the recent history against Port Vale?
The head-to-head record makes for difficult reading for Crewe fans. Port Vale have kept six clean sheets in their last seven games against their local rivals. The most recent league meeting, on 29th March 2025, ended in a 1-0 defeat for Crewe. Before that, the teams drew 1-1 in November 2024. Crewe also lost 1-0 to Vale in the EFL Trophy back in September 2023.
There is a glimmer of hope in recent away league form. Crewe have won three of their last six league visits to Vale Park, drawing one and losing two. This contrasts sharply with the long-term trend; before 2012, Crewe had managed just five wins in 31 away league games against Port Vale dating back to 1892.
What does last season's fast start tell us?
Winning the first two games is a positive sign, but Crewe will be wary of reading too much into early results. Last season, they famously won their opening three League Two matches. That was a rare achievement, as the club had not started a season with three straight wins since the 1994-95 campaign. Maintaining consistency over a full season is the real challenge.
The current squad, details of which are on our squad page, will be aiming to build on that early promise. The team's ability to grind out 1-0 wins suggests a resilience that was sometimes missing in past years.
What comes next for Crewe Alexandra?
The immediate focus is squarely on overcoming the Port Vale hurdle. Breaking their nine-game winless streak against their rivals would be a massive psychological boost and solidify their strong league position. Managerial tactics and squad selection for this fixture will be scrutinized, especially given Vale's defensive strength in this fixture.
Looking beyond the derby, the aim will be to sustain this early momentum. With a flawless defensive record so far, the foundation is there. The next run of games, which you can view on our fixtures list, will determine if this is merely a bright start or the beginning of a genuine promotion push. The data from the opening matches provides a platform, but the hard work is just beginning.
