Port Vale v Wrexham preview – a break from the League and a chance of cup progress

The Vale view

Form

Well it looks like Vale have stopped the rot in the League. A disappointing home draw against Cheltenham was followed by a much needed 2-1 away win over Doncaster Rovers. It’s too early to get excited but a decent run in this competition would certainly be welcome too.

Fitness

George Byers, Rakeem Harper, loanee Benicio and Jayden Stockley have all been on the sidelines in recent weeks and Vale may use this match to give them minutes, although it’s unlikely to be from the start.

Team selection

Oh really, who knows… Vale could potentially rotate the whole starting eleven for this one. Goalkeeper Connor Ripley, defender Jesse Debrah, wingback Brandon Cover, striker Ruari Paton and midfielder Ethan Chislett could all expect to start this one.

Possible line-up

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting eleven: Ripley – Smith, Debrah, Hart – Cover, Chislett, Sang, John – Richards – Paton, Tolaj

Trivia: Rico Richards scored against Wrexham earlier this season

Viewing guide

This game, like all Football League Trophy games, is being shown on Sky Sports+ in the UK. Viewers outside of the UK can see the game on the PVTV service.

Guide to the opposition

Club factfile

• Team: Wrexham
• League: League Two
• Manager: Phil Parkinson

Trivia: The Racecourse Ground is the world’s oldest international football stadium still hosting international matches.

Man in charge

56 year-old Phil Parkinson has been in charge of Wrexham since 2021 and guided them to the National League title as well as promotion to League One last season. Parkinson has also had spells with Colchester Utd, Charlton Athletic, Bradford City and Bolton (to name just four of his former clubs) and has now taken charge of 1,000 games as a manager.

Form

The visitors are riding high in League One as they occupy third position. The side have won three of their last four League games. It’s mid-November since Wrexham failed to score in a League or Cup game.

History

Connections

As there are no current players who have played for both sides, here are some of the players to have played for both in recent years.

• Striker Hector Sam joined Vale from Wrexham but his spell was wrecked by injury
• Defender Theo Vassell had spells with both clubs
• Goalkeeper Rob Lainton also had spells with both sides
• Striker Scott Quigley had loan spells with both clubs

Featured connection

Winger Steve Fox was mourned by both sides when he sadly passed away in 2012 aged just 54 years of age. Fox had a four year spell with Wrexham where he was named player of the year in 1981. He joined Vale in 1982 and was a star performer as the club won promotion at the end of the 1982-83 season. A pacy right winger, Fox also had spells with Chester City and Birmingham City.

Overall record

• Port Vale wins: 22
• Port Vale losses: 27
• Draws: 18

Trivia: this will be the third Football League Trophy meeting in just two seasons.

Last time we met

It ended 1-1 in normal time thanks to a Vale goal from loanee Rico Richards. In the penalty shootout, goalkeeper Ben Amos was the hero as Vale claimed an additional point.

Fixture history

The clubs first faced each other in 1929 when it finished as a 2-0 win for the Valiants. However, recent games have been few and far between. In 2007, the clubs met in the League Cup. It finished 1-1 after 90 minutes with Luke Rodgers on target for Vale before Wrexham won the penalty shootout. Last season, the two sides met in the Football League Trophy stages with Josh Thomas on the mark for Vale in a 2-1 loss.

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

Wrexham AFC were founded in 1864 making them the oldest club in Wales. Wrexham’s honours include winning the Welsh Cup a record 23 times, the Football League Trophy in 2005 at the Millennium Stadium and the FA Trophy in 2013 at Wembley Stadium.

Club records

• Most goals: Tommy Bamford 175
• Most appearances: Arfon Griffiths 592
• Most International appearances: Dennis Lawrence 49 (Trinidad & Tobago)
• Highest attendance: 34,445 vs Man Utd, FA Cup 4th round, 1957

Your views

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Port Vale v Wrexham match thread

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