Two minute guide to: Shortwood United
It’s a televised FA Cup clash against Shortwood Utd for the Valiants – here’s our guide to our next opponents…
Team news
Dan Jones: Back in contention?
Vale are expected to ring the changes following the 5-2 loss against Swindon – Dan Jones and Lee Hughes could both come into contention.
Micky Adams has also suggested that “a couple of players who did themselves a lot of good in the reserve game” which could mean that goalscorers Jordan Hugill and Gavin Tomlin may come into contention. Nevertheless, the Vale boss is still expected to name a strong side to give Vale the best possible chance of reaching the second round.
Guesswork Vale XI:
Neal
Yates Robertson Dickinson Jones
Dodds Griffith Lines Loft
Tomlin Pope
Quotes
“Shortwood United shouldn’t hold any fears for us, let’s get that straight. I’m not going to sit here and say that anything other than a win on Monday night would be good enough, because it won’t be. That is not being disrespectful to Shortwood. I think we are better than them, we are a professional outfit and we want to go there and show them that on Monday.”
– Micky Adams
“I think the League One lads will be down to earth and Micky Adams will have them fired up. They are expected to turn us over and he won’t want to be the victim of a shock. Probably to our detriment in this game is the fact our pitch here is fantastic.”
– Shortwood joint-manager Alex Sykes
Trivia
Here are ten facts about our opponents:
1. Shortwood United are based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire which is also the home of Forest Green Rovers, Vale’s cup opponents last season.
2. The club was founded 113 years ago in 1900 and (unfortunately for them) the team wear a Stoke City style red and white striped home shirt.
3. They have played at four grounds and have been based at the Meadowbank Stadium since 1972. The stadium’s record attendance is 1,000 for a game against neighbours Forest Green Rovers back in 1982.
4. In 2008/2009 they missed out on promotion despite acquiring 99 points and scoring 99 goals.
5. However, they made amends in 2012 when they finished second to Oxford City Nomads. As the league winners did not apply for promotion, Shortwood’s proudest moment came as the club were promoted to the Southern League for the first time in their history.
6. They have now dropped down to the Southern League Division One South & West where the club lies in a lowly 18th place out of 22 teams.
7. The club’s most experienced player is Alex Sykes who played briefly in the Football League for Mansfield Town. Sykes also had long spells at Forest Green Rovers, Bath City and Gloucester City. Now aged 39 he is still playing and is the club’s joint-manager.
8. Sykes is also an International having represented England at Futsal (a version of the game played indoors on a smaller pitch). In fact, he scored a hat-trick in England’s first futsal international match – a 5-5 draw with Cyprus.
9. Star striker Dominic Culley has netted 15 times in 17 games, including a penalty in the replay win over Aldershot. Following perhaps in former Valiant Stuart Tomlinson’s footsteps he is a model away from the pitch.
10. The Meadowbank Stadium may prove something of an interesting journey for the Port Vale away following. The approach to the ground features very narrow lanes which are unsuitable for coaches to drive down!
Form
Tom Pope: Vale’s top scorer
Port Vale’s last game: lost 2-5 against Swindon Town
Shortwood’s last game: lost 2-1 against Evesham United
Port Vale: L-W-W-L-L
Shortwood: L-W-D-L-L
Vale top scorer: Pope – 7 goals
Shortwood top scorer: Culley – 15 goals
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