Attention turns to the Bristol Street Motors Trophy tonight as make the trip to STōK Cae Ras to face Wrexham AFC.
Both Vale and Wrexham have qualified for the knockout rounds so it’s now a battle for top top and a home tie in the next round.
The Valiants come into the game off the back of a 0-0 draw against Burton Albion in the First Round of the Emirates FA Cup. Vale were forced to play the majority of the game with ten men after Nathan Smith was sent off In the 18th minute. With the game ending in a draw, the sides will head to a reply which will be played on Tuesday 14th November at the Pirelli Stadium.
In the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, The Vale currently sit in 2nd place in Group B after picking up five points from our two games so far. Ben Garrity’s first half strike helped Vale to all three points against Crewe Alexandra in our first group game. More recently, Vale drew 1-1 with Newcastle United U21s. Jesse Debrah put Vale ahead in the first half before Ellis Stanton’s long-range strike in the 90th minute took the game to penalties where Vale won 3-2 picked up another point to earn them a place in the knockout rounds with one game to go.
Crosby’s Comments:
Here’s what the gaffer had to say ahead of our Bristol Street Motors Trophy clash with Wrexham AFC
“We’ll go to Wrexham on Tuesday night, we’ll utilise the squad, we’ll utilise some of the younger players and the qualities of the academy. We’ll get on with it, we’ll keep trying to play our way.”
The Opposition:
Wrexham have enjoyed a good start to their first season back in the EFL. They currently occupy 3rd place in League Two with 30 points from their first 16 games.
The Red Dragons come into the game off the back of an FA Cup victory on Saturday after being Mansfield Town 2-1 at the One Call Stadium. Sam Dalby gave the visitors the lead in the first half before Paul Mullin doubled their lead early in the second half. Rhys Oates pulled a goal back for Mansfield, but it was merely a consolation.
Wrexham sit top of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy Group B with maximum points from their two games. Sam Dalby’s 13th minute goal was enough to earn them all three points against Newcastle United U21’s. In their second game they comfortably saw off Crewe Alexandra, beating them 3-0 at The Mornflake Stadium. Goals from Jordan Tunnicliffe, Jordan Davies and Luke Young helped them to an emphatic win in South Cheshire.
Player to Watch - Paul Mullin
Mullin has become a cult hero at the STōK Cae Ras. After picking up in injury against Manchester United in pre-season, Mullin has returned and has found the net four times in ten games this season. Coincidentally, his sides form has picked up since his return with the Welsh side going unbeaten since the end of the September. Mullin is available for the fixture, but he will miss their next game due to suspension.
Another player in the same situation as Mullin is former Stoke City winger James McLean, he joined the club in the summer and has made 11 appearances for the club so far this season. Centre midfielder Elliot Lee has made a great start to life in the league Two. He’s picked up ten goals and two assists so far this season.
Last Time We Met
Port Vale 1-1 Wrexham (3-5 on Penalties), 14 August 2007.
The sides last met competitively in the League Cup First Round in the 2007/08 season. Micheal Proctor gave Wrexham the lead in the 10th minute, but his goal was cancelled out in the 33rd minute when Luke Rodger’s levelled the scores from the penalty spot, at the end of ninety minutes. With extra time failing to separate the sides, Wrexham eventually won 5-3 on penalties at Vale Park.