Burton Albion v Port Vale FA Cup preview – can Valiants keep their place in all three cup contests?
Burton Albion v Port Vale preview – Andy Crosby’s men will have to win a replay at Burton if they are to progress to the second round and a game against Stevenage. Here’s our preview…
MATCH PREVIEW
Burton Albion v Port Vale: Tuesday November 14th, Pirelli stadium, FA Cup round one replay, 7.45pm.
PREAMBLE
Well, it’s kind of a reversal of Port Vale’s usual campaign of League games interrupted by the odd cup match as, following an interlude for the Lincoln game, it’s back to cup action for Andy Crosby’s team.
Securing a replay when down to ten men was a decent result in the circumstances but it’s going to be a tough task for a Vale side hit by multiple injury worries to reach the second round.
TEAM NEWS
Vale will once again be depleted in defence with Nathan Smith suspended and the likes of Alex Iacovitti, Dan Jones and Kofi Balmer all injured. Youngster Ben Lomax may make the bench once more as cover. In these circumstances, a lot depends on Lewis Cass as the last remaining recognised centre-half.
Elsewhere, it’s a similar story of a Vale side hit by injuries with the likes of James Wilson, Conor Grant and Mitch Clark all sidelined. One bright note was the return of Tom Conlon to action last week and he could make the squad once more.
OPPOSITION
The home side have lost both their games since that draw at Vale Park. The Brewers lost a Football League Trophy clash against Doncaster Rovers 2-1 and were defeated 2-0 in the League by Northampton. The hosts will be without the services of John Brayford, Sam Hughes and Kwadwo Baah, who are all ruled out through injury.
MAN IN CHARGE
Dino Maamria was assistant boss before the departure of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink saw him given the top job in September 2022. He’s been in charge for 67 games with a 37% win ratio.
PAST MEETINGS
The two sides first met in 2010 at Vale Park when it finished in a 3-1 win for the Valiants thanks to goals from Marc Richards (2) and Sean Rigg. Our first competitive trip to Burton ended in a 1-0 defeat.
The last game was memorable for Nathan Smith’s first-ever dismissal in a Vale shirt as the Valiants’ ten men held out for a 0-0 FA Cup first round draw.
BRIEF HISTORY
Burton Albion were formed in 1950 and initially joined the Birmingham & District League. Nigel Clough spent seven seasons as the club’s player-manager in the Conference and then led them into the Football League as champions of the Conference in 2008–09. They lost the 2014 League Two play-off final, but went on to win the League Two title in 2014–15 and were promoted from League One in 2015–16. Burton spent two seasons in the Championship until relegation in 2018.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
There are no players in either squad who have played for the opposition. However, over the years the likes of Marcus Harness, Stuart Tomlinson, Rob Lainton, Nathan Ferguson, Tyler Walker and Justin Richards have made appearances for both sides.
OVERALL RECORD
7 Port Vale wins
4 draws
6 Port Vale losses
THE QUIZ
Our now traditional match preview quiz. How many will you get. Answers below (no cheating!)…
- Who is the current Burton Albion manager?
- When were the club formed?
- What was the score the last time they met?
JOIN THE DEBATE
Our dedicated match thread on the forum is the place to go to discuss the match before, during and after the action. View the thoughts of fellow fans and add your comments…
PREDICT THE SCORE
GO'ARN THE VALE!
Quiz answers:
- Dino Maamria
- 1950
- Port Vale 0-0 Burton Albion