Will the Valiants carry on the form that saw them defeat Newport County and Chesterfield? Here’s our preview of their next match.

The Vale perspective

Form

Following consecutive victories, Vale will go into this game in far more confident mood than they did for the trip to Newport. The Chesterfield game also saw the defence record their third clean sheet of the season.

Fitness

Vale’s main concerns will centre around their central defensive pairing. Jesse Debrah was replaced in the second-half while Connor Hall also received treatment after a heavy challenge. Fellow defenders Mitch Clark, Sam Hart, Dan Jones and Conor Grant all remain sidelined.

Team selection

We’d imagine that if everyone is fit then Vale will line-up unchanged. Any possible changes are likely to be injury-related with Ben Heneghan and Nathan Smith able to stand in for Debrah and Hall. Ethan Chislett will be looking for his fourth goal in four League games for the Valiants.

Viewing guide

This match has  been selected by Sky+ and is kicking off as 12:30, so it can be broadcast in the UK. Let’s hope it’s a better result than Vale’s other televised clash this season (a defeat to Doncaster Rovers). Fans based overseas can watch it via the PVTV service.

The opposition

Man in charge

John Doolan had the tricky task of replacing the legendary John Coleman in March 2024. The 55 year-old had previously been a coach at the likes of Rotherham United, Wigan Athletic, Liverpool and Everton. Handed a three year contract, this is his first role as a Football League manager and his record is three wins in fifteen games in charge.

Form

The home side have not recorded a win so far this season, so it’s fair to say their form is pretty poor. They have at least recorded two draws at home but have now recorded three straight losses in League and Cup ahead of this match.

Summer signings

Stanley lost midfielders Sean McConville and Tommy Leigh in the summer but have been busy adding a number of new players to the ranks. New arrivals include non-league strikers Jimmy Knowles and Kelsey Mooney, Morecambe duo Farrend Rawson and Donald Love, striker Dara Costelloe on loan from Burnley and defender Zach Awe on loan from Southampton.

Connections

Current connections

Former Accrington defender Mitch Clark will miss this game as he recovers from surgery. The popular full-back spent two years with Stanley making 76 appearances and scoring once. By coincidence, that is exactly the same total he has for the Valiants over two loan spells and his current permanent move. Vale goalkeeper Connor Ripley and striker Jayden Stockley have also had loan spells with Accrington earlier in their careers.

Vintage connections

Over the years there have been a number of players to feature for both clubs. The list includes winger David Worrall, Chris Eagles, midfielder Danny Whitehead and midfielder Scott Brown.

Featured connection

Midfielder Luke Joyce was a valued member of the Vale engine room for three years making 131 appearances during that time. Joyce had also served Accrington with distinction making 276 appearances during a six year stay with the club.

History

Last time we met

Midfielder Funso Ojo was sent-off as the Vale were comfortably beaten 3-0 back in April 2023. The first goal was a poor mistake by Valiants keeper Jack Stevens while the other Stanley scorers were Harvey Rodgers and Aaron Pressley.

Fixture history

The two clubs first met in 1929 with the Valiants recording a 5-2 win. Striker Albert Pynegar scored twice in that win. Vale did well in the initial encounters being unbeaten in the first five games between the sides. Vale’s last encounter with the original Accrington side was in 1960. Following Stanley’s liquidation in 1966, the two sides next met in 2008.

Recent memorable matches

Vale’s biggest win came in an excellent 2021 FA Cup victory which saw the Valiants triumph 5-1. The scorers that day were Lewis Cass, George Lloyd and a hat-trick from striker James Wilson. Vale also recorded a 4-1 win back in 2011 thanks to two goals from Sean Rigg plus other strikes from Gary Roberts and Tom Pope.

Archive

It’s FA Cup highlights time..

Brief history

The current club was formed in 1968, two years after the collapse of the original Accrington Stanley, which played in the Football League from 1921 to 1962. The club won three promotions over the course of seven seasons under the stewardship of John Coleman to gain a place in the Football League in 2006.

Opinion and quiz

Discuss the game

Want to discuss things before, during and after the game? Our forum’s dedicated match thread is the place to be. Share your views with fellow fans…

Accrington v Port Vale match thread

Predict the score

Quiz

Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz

(answers below – no cheating)

Quiz answers

1. John Doolan
2. Accrington 3-0 Port Vale
3. Mitch Clark, Connor Ripley and Jayden Stockley
4. 1968

The tough one: 1921

How do you think the match will go for the Valiants? Share your thoughts and post a comment below.