Stevenage v Port Vale FA Cup preview – forget the League for a moment, can Vale continue good cup form?
It’s tough times in Burslem at the moment as the club slips down the table but will a win in the FA Cup second round ease the pressure? Here’s our preview.
MATCH PREVIEW
Stevenage v Port Vale: Saturday December 2nd, Lamex stadium, FA Cup second round
PREAMBLE
The pressure is certainly on manager Andy Crosby after the club’s winless League run stretched to eleven games. Arguably, the club’s cup form has helped maintain his job and progression to the FA Cup third round draw would be a big boost. The Valiants will probably have to match their performance levels in the first round replay win at Burton to do so.
TEAM NEWS
Vale’s performance against Derby was decent without being threatening or possessing a cutting edge so it’s pretty much a case of whether Andy Crosby sticks or twists? He’d probably love to have options to switch it around upfront but with James Wilson and Josh Thomas both out, he has a straight choice between Uche Ikpeazu and Ryan Loft.
Also on the injury list are wingbacks Mitch Clark and Conor Grant plus defenders Dan Jones and Kofi Balmer.
OPPOSITION
Stevenage reached this stage with a dramatic 4-3 win over Tranmere Rovers in the first round. In direct contrast to Vale’s form, they haven’t lost in their last nine games. Their top scorer is Jamie Reid with fifteen goals, including two in the FA Cup.
MAN IN CHARGE
Love him or loathe him, it’s fair to say most people have strong opinions on Steve Evans. Convicted of tax evasion while at Boston United, Evans has bounced back to get three promotions and manage a host of clubs. He was appointed Stevenage manager in March 2022 and has a 53% win ratio from his 93 games in charge.
PAST MEETINGS
The two sides last met earlier this season in League One. It ended 0-0 in a game which saw Ryan Loft make his full League debut and Uche Ikpeazu make his return from the bench.
The two sides first met in a competitive fixture in 2009 for an FA Cup tie with Adam Yates scoring Vale’s first goal against Stevenage. The first League meeting took place the following year.
BRIEF HISTORY
Stevenage Borough were founded in 1976 following the demise of the town’s former club. They reached the Conference in 1994 but were denied promotion in 1996 after failing to meet ground requirements.
However, the club did eventually win promotion in 2010. After promotion, the club dropped “Borough” from their name and won promotion to League One in 2011 before being relegated back to League Two in 2014.
CONNECTIONS
Former Vale captain Tom Conlon made his professional debut while on the books at Stevenage. He’s unlikely to feature today due to injury but he made 56 appearances for Stevenage before a move to Vale where (to date) he’s made 179 appearances and scored nineteen goals.
Other players to appear for both sides in recent years include forward David Amoo, midfielder Tom Pett and forward Harry McKirdy.
OVERALL RECORD
4 Port Vale wins
9 draws
5 Port Vale losses
THE QUIZ
Our now traditional match preview quiz. How many will you get. Answers below (no cheating!)…
- Who is the current Stevenage manager?
- When was the club enter the Football League?
- Which current Vale player also played for Stevenage?
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…
GO'ARN THE VALE!
Quiz answers:
- Steve Evans
- 2010
- Tom Conlon