The Emirates FA Cup returns to Vale Park on Saturday as we welcome Barnsley for a First Round clash.
The Valiants come into the game on an eleven-game unbeaten run which includes five wins in our last five games.
Last time out, Vale beat AFC Wimbledon 3-2 in a tightly contested affair. Goals from Brandon Cover, Rico Richards and Jayden Stockley earned Vale all three points at Vale Park.
Last season in the FA Cup, Vale played four games but didn’t make it past Round Two. In the First Round, we were held by Burton Albion at Vale Park before we progressed in a replay at the Pirelli Stadium thanks to goals from Gavin Massey and Lewis Cass. Stevenage were our opponents in the Second Round and after a 1-1 draw at the Lamex Stadium a replay was again needed, but it was The Boro who progressed after winning a penalty shootout.
Gaffers Thoughts
Here’s what Darren Moore said ahead of Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup fixture:
“The FA Cup brings teams from different divisions operating in their own echelon in terms of where they are in their league and then bring them together head-to-head. That’s no different to what we’re going to see at Vale Park on Saturday.
“Two teams that are in decent form in their respective campaigns will go head-to-head. It’s a cup competition so cup football always brings a little bit of something different, but one thing thats for sure is that the atmosphere will be good and we’re looking forward to it."
“Barnsley have got a good group of players and it bodes well for a good game; we’ve got a good group of players here too. To see both teams go head-to-head will be great on Saturday.”
The Opposition.
Barnsley currently sit in 8th place in SkyBet League One with 22 points from their 13 games played so far this season.
The Tykes are three unbeaten in the league following away wins at Blackpool and Shrewsbury Town and a pulsating 2-3 home draw with Charlton Athletic where both sides scored in second half added time.
Barnsley come into the game off the back of a 3-1 defeat against Doncaster Rovers in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. This result means that Barnsley can no longer qualify and will finish bottom of their group with zero points.
Who’s in charge:
Former Vale manager Darrell Clarke is the manager of Barnsley. Clarke guided the Valiants to promotion in the in the 2021/22 season after a rollercoaster of a campaign that saw us finish 5th before winning the play offs.
The 46 year old joined Barnsley in the summer after leaving Cheltenham Town. So far, it’s been a positive start to life in Yorkshire as he’s guided his side to 8th place in Skybet League One, losing just three of their 13 league games.
Port Vale 2-1 Barnsley, Saturday 20th September 2014.
Last time the Vale beat Barnsley in the league was in the 2014/15 when we in fact did the double over the Tykes.
The sides met at Vale Park in September 2014 and it was Vale who started the brightest. Winger Mark Marshall almost caught the Barnsley keeper off guard as his near post effort looked to be going in but Ross Turnbull readjusted and saved well. In the 24th minute Vale took the lead when Michael O’Connor curled a free kick into the back of the net leaving Turnbull no chance in the Barnsley goal.
On the hour mark the visitors had the chance to get back on level terms when Connor Hourihane was fouled in the box. The Irishman dusted himself down and dispatched the spot kick to bring his side level. Moments later, Vale had a penalty of their own when Jordan Slew was bought down in the area. The Vale striker stepped up and blazed his penalty over the crossbar, into the Bycars End.
With a draw looking likely, up stepped Mark Marshall. The Jamaican winger weaved his way into the box, beating three defenders before tucking into the bottom corner to earn his side all three points at Vale Park.