Doncaster v Port Vale preview – cup clash has more meaning after bruising loss to Walsall

The Vale view

Pre-match quote

Darren Moore commented on the loss to Walsall saying: “I am disappointed and a little frustrated because there was nothing in the game really. The chance has dropped to them from a set play and they have scored. Our decision making on the ball was somewhat lacking. I didn’t think we were anywhere near what we could have been.”

Form

It’s now just a solitary win in seven League and Cup games. While the wheels are not coming off, a win and progress in this tournament would certainly be welcome by a Mr D Moore. It’s just a case of balancing the need to bring back some momentum against giving some key players a rest from a busy League season.

Fitness

Skipper Ben Garrity remains sidelined but he is one of only two players sidelined (the other being Mitch Clark). However, Ryan Croasdale and Jayden Stockley are both carrying knocks and it’s doubtful that either will be risked in this game.

Team selection

There’s a balance between progressing to the next stage and getting some match minutes into legs. For the latter purpose, expect Rakeem Harper, Nathan Smith and Ruari Paton all to be given starts with the likes of recent returnees George Byers and Kyle John on the bench also ready to stretch their legs later on. We expect Jayden Stockley and Ryan Croasdale to be rested as they are carrying knocks.

Possible line-up

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting eleven: Amos – Smith, Heneghan, Hall – Cover, Harper, Sang, Shorrock – Benicio, Paton, Tolaj

Trivia: Jason Lowe needs one more game to make it 50 appearances for the Valiants

Viewing guide

This game, like all the Football League Trophy games is being shown on Sky Sports+ in the UK. Coverage starts at 18:50pm (remember it is an earlier than usual kick-off). Viewers outside of the UK can see the game on the PVTV service.

Guide to the opposition

Club factfile

• Team: Doncaster Rovers
• League: League Two
• Manager: Grant McCann

Trivia: The club was formed in 1879 by Albert Jenkins, a railway fitter who took some friends to play a match against the Yorkshire Institute for the Deaf in September 1879. On walking back from the game, the team had a discussion in which they decided to play more and call themselves Doncaster Rovers.

Man in charge

44 year-old Grant McCann is in his second spell with Rovers. The Northern Irishman has also managed Peterborough United and Hull City. His overall record at Rovers is 68 wins from 144 games in charge.

Form

The draw specialists! Rovers have drawn five of their last six games in League and Cup. They reached this stage of the contest with wins over Huddersfield and Barnsley while they drew with Man Utd U21, losing the penalty shootout.

Squad and injuries

To be honest, it’s tricky to know which Doncaster side will be picked. Like Vale, it’s a balance between cup progression and giving squad players an outing. Ian Lawlor has been the goalkeeper for the FLT group games while the likes of Luke Molyneux and Joe Ironside have been on the bench.

One to watch

On loan Bristol City forward Ephraim Yeboah has two goals from three appearances in this competition.

History

Current connection

Port Vale wingback Conor Grant spent a spell on loan with Doncaster Rovers earlier in his career. He made 21 appearances, scoring once in 2017. In the opposition side is strapping defender Tom Anderson who spent a loan spell with the Valiants back in 2017. Manager Darren Moore has also played for Rovers and managed both sides.

Former Connections

Over the years there have been a number of players to feature for both clubs. The list includes midfielder Anthony Griffith, striker Mipo Odubeko, midfielder Harry Middleton and striker Theo Robinson.

Featured connection

Respected defender John Nicholson was signed from Liverpool by Port Vale in 1961. A regular in the Valiants defence, he made 208 consecutive appearances for the club. He was sold to Doncaster in 1965 and was sadly killed in a car crash in 1966 aged just 29. Port Vale FC donated a sizeable sum to his widow as a mark of respect.

Overall record

• Port Vale wins: 23
• Port Vale losses: 21
• Draws: 9

Trivia: Vale have only lost one of their last five games against Doncaster

Last time we met

The Valiants slipped to a disappointing 3-2 loss at home in front of the Sky TV cameras. Vale’s goals came from Ryan Croasdale and a Ethan Chislett penalty. The visitors scored through Luke Molyneux (2) and veteran Billy Sharp.

Fixture history

The two clubs first met in 1901 when it finished in a thrilling 3-3 draw. Bert Eardley (pictured) was the scorer of Vale’s first goal against Rovers. Vale’s first win came a year later in 1902 when they recorded a 3-0 home win at the Old Rec.

Archive

This website has been around for nearly 30 years so has a pretty extensive archive. Here’s a few clippings involving this week’s opponents..

Brief history

Doncaster Rovers were formed in 1879 and entered the Football League in 1901 as a replacement for New Brighton Tower. They initially only lasted two seasons in the League before being voted out before being elected in again in 1905. Finishing bottom of the League they were promptly voted out again. They returned in 1924. They dropped out of the League again in 1998 before returning in 2003. Their current home – the Keepmoat stadium – was built in 2006.

Club records

• Record attendance: 37,149 v Hull City, Division 3 (N), October 1948
• Highest League position: Seventh in Division Two, 1902
• Average attendance last season: 6,562

Your views

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