Port Vale v Exeter City preview – which side will progress in the FA Cup?
Port Vale v Exeter City preview – the Valiants take on their League One rivals at Vale Park with a place in the second round the prize.
Match Info
Venue: Vale Park stadium | Date: 5th November 2022, 3pm | Competition: FA Cup round one
Predict the score
Pre-match quotes…
It’s always been a big occasion and I love the FA Cup. It’s probably the best cup competition in the world… when we’re in a good place in the League, which I think we are, we can go into the cup full of confidence. We’re looking to progress as far as we can in it… it will be a tough test…
Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke
It’s a great competition. It’s a world famous competition for the right reasons. If you build momentum in the cups it does definitely take it into the league and build a bit of momentum into the season…
Port Vale defender Lewis Cass
It’s a special occasion that always has a different feel to the League. Everyone is going on a journey and you have to try and get to the next round. That can lead to magical cup runs and cup upsets. We’ve got a difficult game, we understand that and we have to go and try to win and put ourselves in the next round..
Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell
Anyone that has played in the competition will talk about the magic of the Cup and getting through to the second and third round is a dream of any club, so we will be looking to go there to get the win to get to the second round…
Exeter City player Harry Kite
Port Vale team news
Vale fans will be keen to see the extent of James Wilson’s injury which forced him off late on during the game against Wycombe Wanderers. If Wilson is unable to make it then it could be a chance for Mipu Odubeko or even Dennis Politic to start upfront. Another option would be to bring in Danny Butterworth, impressive in recent games, in a more withdrawn role.
Defender Sam Robinson started in midweek and did well although Clarke may still opt for the more proven option of David Worrall on the right flank.
Brad Walker, Funso Ojo and Jamie Proctor all look set to miss out while the status of Ben Garrity, injured against Lincoln is unknown.
One final change may see Aidan Stone picked in place of Jack Stevens in goal. Stone has been a regular selection for the cup games and with Stevens in the wars recently, he may get a rest.
Opposition team news
Exeter’s form has fallen away in recent games with the side recording just one win in their last six games. They haven’t won in their last four away games.
However, goals haven’t been a problem for Exeter. Sam Noumbe has seven League goals just behind top-scorer Jevani Brown who has eight.
In terms of injuries… goalkeeper Jamal Blackman was a slight doubt for Exeter’s last game, a derby match with Plymouth but was fit to play. Exeter otherwise appear to have a fully fit squad.
Man in charge
Former Wigan and Chesterfield manager Gary Caldwell was appointed following the departure of the long-serving Matt Taylor to Rotherham United. This will be Caldwell’s third game in charge.
Familiar faces
There could be a very familiar figure in the Exeter City squad in former Vale goalkeeper Scott Brown The goalkeeper made almost 150 appearances for the Valiants over three years and was also the 2019 player of the year.
Face from the past
Chris Banks (second from right, front row, on the photo) retired from his role as Port Vale physio this summer – but during his playing days he represented both clubs. Banks progressed through the junior ranks to make 87 appearances for the Valiants and then moved to Exeter in 1988 where he made fifty appearances.
Through the years…
The two sides first met in a competitive fixture in 1938 when it ended in a 3-1 win for the Valiants. Vale have a decent recent record at St James Park having won their last two games – including that dramatic win last season (pictured) when Vale secured a place in the play-offs.
The two sides last met in the FA Cup in 2015 when it finished 2-0 to Exeter. The two sides have also met in the FA Cup in 1952 when it finished 2-1 to the Vale.
Last time we met…
It was a disappointing start to the season for the Valiants when they lost 4-0 at St James Park in the opening game of the season.
Overall record
25 Port Vale wins | 12 draws | 20 Port Vale losses
From the archives
Some photos from that dramatic final game of the season in 2022:
A brief history of…
Exeter City were founded in 1901 and played their games at St James Park, the stadium which they still play at till this day. They were invited to join the Third Division in 1920. They lost their Football League status in 2003 before returning in 2008.
Were you paying attention?
Our traditional quiz…
- Who is the current Exeter City manager?
- What was the score the last time the two teams met?
- In which year were the club formed?
- In what year did the two sides last meet in the FA Cup?
Answers below (no cheating)…
- Gary Caldwell
- Exeter City 4-0 Port Vale
- 1901
- 2015