Accrington Stanley v Port Vale preview – a return to midweek cup action for Valiants

All change for Valiants?

With this being a cup game, there’s expected to be multiple changes for Darren Moore’s side. Among them could be starts for Ben Heneghan, Rhys Walters, Kyle John, Mo Faal, Ruari Paton and Ronan Curtis.

Shorrock to start?

Even if Jaheim Headley hadn’t have been replaced at half-time on Saturday, it’s likely that teenager Jack Shorrock would have started this one. It will be a rare outing for the youngster who has made just two appearances this season.

Who’s the keeper?

With Joe Gauci set for International duty, it could be all change in goal. However, will Darren Moore start Marko Marosi or Ben Amos for this game?

Possible Vale line-up (3-5-2)

Marosi – Debrah, Heneghan, Hall – John, Walters, Curtis, Croasdale, Shorrock – Paton, Faal

Darren Moore on the match officials – “I have to control my words”

Meet the manager

56 year-old John Doolan was appointed Accrington manager on a three year contract in March 2024. He has 21 wins from 78 games in charge.

Recent form

The home side lost 2-0 to Barnet at the weekend. As far as the Trophy goes, they drew 2-2 with Fleetwood in the group stages before defeating them 5-4 on penalties.

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.

Stadium

Accrington have played at the 5,450 capacity Crown Ground since their reformation in 1968. Prior to that, the club played at Peel Park.

Trivia

The original club, Accrington, was one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888.

Port Vale 2-1 Accrington – ten men Valiants beat Accrington despite another awful referee performance

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. They have never met in the Football League Trophy before.

Last time we met

A Vale side reduced to ten men after the sending off of Tom Sang won 2-1 in the 2024-25 season. The Vale goals came from Jayden Stockley and Lorent Tolaj.

Player connections

Former Vale wingback Conor Grant is in the Accrington squad. The former Plymouth player spent an injury-affected spell at Vale Park making 44 appearances over two years. He has made sixteen appearances for Stanley. Former Accrington defender Mitch Clark will miss this game through injury while Vale striker Jayden Stockley also had a loan spell with Accrington earlier in his career.

Vintage 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.

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 –

Match thread for the game

Quiz

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

Who is the current Accrington manager?
In what year did the sides first meet?
What was the score when the sides last met?
Which current Accrington player was signed from Vale?

(answers below – no cheating)

Quiz answers

John Doolan
1929
Port Vale 2-1 Accrington
Conor Grant

Quiz ratings

Today’s theme is on-loan goalkeepers. How did you fare?

0/4 – Steve Cherry (younger fans ask your dad about “Enfield”)
1/4 – Leo Fasan
2/4 – Mike Stowell
3/4 – Joe Gauci
4/4 – Neville Southall