We’re in Emirates FA Cup action this weekend as make the trip to the Lamex Stadium to face Stevenage in the second round.
In the last round of the FA Cup the Vale needed a replay to progress against Burton Albion. The sides drew 0-0 at Vale Park in the First Round. The Valiants were reduced to ten men inside the first twenty minutes when Nathan Smith was shown a straight red card after he was deemed to be the last man when bringing down a Burton attacker. despite being a man down, Vale were the better side and would have been disappointed to have not won the tie on the day.
The replay took place 10 days later and this time it was much more straightforward for Vale who progressed after a 2-0 win at the Pirelli Stadium. Gavin Massey gave Vale a first half lead when he reacted quickest to the rebound following Max Crocombe’s save from Tom Sang's powerful effort. Lewis Cass then doubled Vale’s lead in the second half when he met Tom Sang’s cross at the near post to cap off a dominating performance for The Vale and send us into Round Two of the Emirates FA Cup.
Crosby’s Comments:
Here’s what the gaffer had to say about our recent run of fixtures:
“We can look back over the recent period of time and in all the games we have had moments where we’ve been on top. We’ve been on top in some of those games for long, long periods.
"We’ve had chances in all those games, we haven’t taken those chances and predominantly when you’re on top and the scores 0-0 you have to take chances because it then affects the rest of the game. It affects the momentum of the game; it affects what the opposition do.”
The Opposition
Stevenage have made a great start to life in League One after getting promoted last season. They currently occupy fourth place in Skybet League One and they are unbeaten in their last nine games.
In the First Round of the Emirates FA Cup, they beat Tranmere Rovers in a thrilling game at the Lamex. Going into the 90th minute Stevenage lead 3-2 but one minute into added time Kieron Morris levelled the scores for Tranmere who thought they had forced a replay. However, in the 100th minute Jamie Reid scored to spark jubilant scenes and send his side into Second Round in the most dramatic of ways.
Player to watch - Jamie Reed
Reed is Stevenage’s top scorer with 12 goals so far this season. He has found the net five times in his last five games which includes a brace in the last round of the FA Cup against Tranmere Rovers.
Another player to watch is Carl Piergianni. The experienced defender is always a handful in both boxes and he has played a pivotal role in his side's promotions last season, and their positive start to their league one campaign.
Last time we met
Stevenage 0-0 Port Vale, Saturday 21st October 2023
After a two week international break, the Vale returned to league action with a trip to Lamex Stadium earlier this season.
Funso Ojo had the first effort of the game after a corner from the left fell to him, but his first time effort was tipped over the crossbar by Taye Ashby-Hammond. Soon after, Connor Ripley was forced into action when he made a good save following a low shot that came through a congested 18-yard box. In the second half Kofi Balmer got up highest to meet Tom Sang’s corner and force a good save from Ashby-Hammond once again.
Moments lalter Stevenage broke following a Vale corner and came close to going ahead but Jamie Reed’s volley from outside the box whistled past Connor Ripley’s near post. In the final stages of the game the hosts had a golden chance to take the lead when they won the ball outside the Vale box. Nick Freeman waited for the run of Reed and when he got into the box he was 1 on 1 with Ripley but the Vale keeper made himself big and saved well to earn Vale a valuable point on the road.