Two minute guide to Walsall v Port Vale
It’s the second cup tie in a row – here’s our guide to the match…
Pre-match newsdesk
So, from one hugely anticipated cup tie to well, a cup tie. It’s fair to say a Checkatrade dead rubber (Vale are already through) is hardly likely to inspire but this is Walsall and ALL right-thinking Vale fans will want a win over their rivals.
Anyhow, the dust has settled on Vale’s cup exit to Sunderland and Neil Aspin has admitted he has mixed emotions over the result. Goalscorer Tom Pope (right) was proud of the team and had some special praise for Manny “the tank” Oyeleke.
Memory match
Few Port Vale supporters will forget our Football League Trophy match against Walsall in 2012. It finished 2-2 in normal time. However, Vale goalkeeper Sam Johnson (right) on his full debut saved two penalties and then scored the winner in a dramatic 6-5 shootout win for the Valiants at the Bescot stadium.
Quotes
“It is a game where we can make changes. It has always been in the back of my mind that we are playing Mansfield and I think they are a good team. I have watched them play and they are one of the teams that I rate in the divison. I have always known that is going to be a tough game.”…”
Port Vale manager Neil Aspin
Man in charge
Current Walsall manager Dean Keates once had a trial with the Valiants in his playing days. Here (from the days when OVF’s images were very small) is an archive image of him in a Vale shirt during a friendly (we think) against Macclesfield.
Anyhow, Keates had a long playing career with the likes of Walsall, Hull and Wrexham before moving into management. He was manager of Wrexham for two years before taking over at Walsall in 2018.
Stats and facts
Have we already mentioned our 100% record in this tournament against one of our fiercest rivals. Shall we mention it again? Vale have won their only encounter with Walsall in the Football League Trophy!
Elsewhere, it’s a less pretty story. Vale have won 23 times compared to Walsall’s 42 and there have been 26 draws. Vale’s last scorer against Walsall was Chris Eagles (right) in 2017.
Featured connection
Vale defender Theo Vassell has forced his way into the starting eleven recently and will be keen to feature against one of his former clubs. Vassell had a spell with Walsall between 2015 and 2016 but failed to make a first-team appearance although he did have a loan spell with Chester City.
Crossing the lines
There have been a whole host of players to appear for both clubs so without further ado here is a long (but by no means comprehensive) list – Richard O’Kelly, Ally Brown, Dean Smith (right), Kris Taylor, Nicky Cross, Ben Purkiss, Clayton McDonald, Simon Osborn, Florent Cuvelier and Tony Richards.