Bolton Wanderers vs Port Vale

The Wanderer | 7
OPPOSITION
PORT VALE
IT’S BEEN VERY MUCH CHALK AND
CHEESE FOR VALE SO FAR THIS SEASON
IN TERMS OF LEAGUE AND CUP FORM.
A positive start to their League One campaign
saw the Valiants in second position after seven
games – a position many wouldn’t have been
predicted given the 7-0 thrashing they suffered
on the opening day against Barnsley.
They bounced backed superbly with five wins
and a draw but since beating Northampton in
mid-September, Andy Crosby’s side haven’t picked
up a league win since – losing 1-0 at home to
Wanderers as part of that run - and now find
themselves hovering just above the drop zone.
That form contrasts sharply with what Vale have so
far achieved in the cup competitions, where they
are still standing on all fronts.
In the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, Vale reached
this stage of the competition and tonight’s last-32
tie at Wanderers by finishing as runner-up in Group
B. A win against local rivals Crewe, a draw against
Newcastle United U21s and a defeat against
Wrexham was enough to progress.
In the FA Cup, the Valiants drew with Burton Albion
before beating the Brewers away to secure a tie
with Stevenage in the second round. That meant
a tough trip to high-flying Boro last Saturday but a
1-1 draw kept Vale in the Cup with a replay to come
to determine who will go to non-league Maidstone
United in round three.
Most impressively, Vale have made club history by
reaching the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup
for the first time. A fantastic run of results against
Fleetwood, Crewe, Sutton United and Mansfield
has set up an exciting home fixture against
Championship side Middlesborough in the last
eight in the week before Christmas.
A victory in that tie would guarantee Premier
League opposition in the semi-finals with Everton,
Fulham, Chelsea, Newcastle, Liverpool and West
Ham the others still all in with a chance of lifting
the Carabao Cup.
So, while Vale might not be hitting the heights
they’d like in League One, their cup pedigree this
term means Wanderers won’t take the test lightly
as Ian Evatt’s men bid to continue their defence of
the Trophy.