Port Vale v Barnsley preview – a cup reunion as promotion winner Clarke returns to Burslem

Attention turns from the League to the Cup as former Vale manager Darrell Clarke brings his Barnsley side to Burslem. Here’s our preview…

The Vale perspective

Other business

The Valiants will hold a Remembrance service ahead of this game. The ceremony will begin at 2.50pm and will see wreaths being laid in the centre circle as well as a minute’s silence.

Form

Superb. Port Vale made it eleven matches unbeaten on Saturday afternoon. It also means six games unbeaten at the Vale Park stadium. The question now is can they carry that form into the Cup against a team from a higher division?

Fitness

Captain Ben Garrity caught a knock on Saturday and we suspect the skipper may be rested for this one. George Byers and Mitch Clark are both supposed to be close to returns but this game may come too soon for them. Kyle John and Sam Hart still remain some way from fitness.

Team selection

Now here’s the thing… Darren Moore likes a rotation so what will he do for the cup match. There could be starts for the likes of Ben Amos, Nathan Smith and Ruari Paton if Moore does switch things around. With the concentration on the League then rests for the likes of Jayden Stockley and Ben Garrity, both key performers in the League, may be in the offing.

Viewing guide

This game is not available for streaming due to competition rules so fans home and abroad will not be able to view. There will be audio commentary available for those who cannot make the game.

The opposition

Man in charge

The hugely popular Darrell Clarke will need no introduction to Vale fans. The 46 year-old managed the Valiants for two years, taking the club to promotion in 2022 despite suffering personal tragedy. His record at Vale was 52 wins from 124 games. Clarke joined Barnsley in the summer and has won seven of 18 games in charge.

Form

After a winless blip of four games without a victory, Barnsley have recovered form and are on a three game unbeaten run. Their last match saw them win 2-0 at Shrewsbury against a side featuring on loan Valiant Funso Ojo.

Squad and signings

Clarke certainly rang the changes over the summer. Signings include Wigan striker Stephen Humphrys, Mansfield forward David Keillor-Dunn and brought back former players Marc Roberts and Conor Hourihane. Loan signings included Spurs midfielder Matthew Craig and Chelsea goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina while Nigerian Kelechi Nwakali transferred from Chaves in Portugal.

Connections

Current connections

There are no players who have appeared for both sides in the squads but Jesse Debrah could have done. While playing for FC Halifax Town the defender was linked with a move to Barnsley only for the move to break down. Barnsley’s reticence was Vale’s gain as he subsequently moved to Vale Park instead. Vale manager Darren Moore also had a playing spell with the Tykes.

Vintage connections

There have been a number of players to appear for both clubs over the years. The list includes:

• Defender Kacper Łopata was loaned to the Valiants last season
• Midfielder Jak McCourt had a loan spell with Vale and played a solitary game for Barnsley
• Defender Antony Kay (pictured) had spells with both sides
• The late Lee Collins was sold to Barnsley by Vale during a financial crisis
• Midfielder Chris Shuker also played for both teams

Featured connection

Striker Marc Richards served both clubs with distinction. He joined Barnsley in 2005 where he played in their 2006 play-off final win over Swansea City. After eighteen goals in 81 games, he joined Vale in 2007 after being signed by Martin Foyle. It proved to be a masterstroke as Richards was top-scorer for four seasons in a row and scored 75 times in 202 games.

History

Last time we met

After being thrashed 7-0 in the opening game of last season, Vale lost the return 3-2 at Vale Park. Ethan Chislett scored while Jack Shorrock became Vale’s youngest-ever scorer but it was not enough as goals from Phillips and McAtee (2) gave the visitors all three points.

Fixture history

The two sides first met in 1898 in Vale’s fifth season of League football. The opening game of the 1898-99 season, it ended in a 2-0 win for the Valiants. The return leg was a 2-1 loss. Vale’s Richard Evans (pictured) scored in both ties while Jim Peake scored Vale’s first-ever goal against the Tykes.

Memorable match

The last occasion the two sides met in the FA Cup was in 1976. Vale engaged in another memorable cup run during the 1976-77 season as they reached the fifth round. Their second round tie was against Barnsley where the Valiants ended up 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Ray Williams (pictured), Ken Beamish and Neil Griffiths. Vale eventually lost 3-0 to Aston Villa in the fifth round.

Brief history

The club was founded in 1887  and since 1888 they have been based at the Oakwell stadium. They joined the Football League in 1898. They reached the FA Cup final, where they lost out to Newcastle United after a replay. In 1912, they reached the FA Cup final again, and defeated West Bromwich Albion 1–0 once again after a replay. They have also won the Football League Trophy in 2016.

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…

Port Vale v Barnsley match thread

Predict the score

Quiz

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

(answers below – no cheating)

Quiz answers

1. Darrell Clarke
2. Port Vale 2-3 Barnsley
3. 1887

The tough one: James (Jim) Peake

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