Port Vale look to bounce back from Morecambe

Port Vale look to avenge last week’s 1-0 defeat to Morecambe with a win over Barnet at Vale Park tomorrow (December 18).

Vale sit second, just two points off table toppers Chesterfield, but Barnet are reeling in the drop zone and are yet to win away from their Underhill home this season.

Defender Kris Taylor has said that Vale can not afford to be complacent.

Vale Park

He told the club’s website: “Sometimes people look at the table and think you should beat certain sides, but every game at this level is a test.

“Not only are we near the top so teams raise their game against us, they are fighting for survival.”

Micky Adams’s men have only lost one league match at home this year, but they will be hoping to fire a few past Barnet, having only scored ten goals from eight home games this season.

Kick-off is 3.00pm.

Port Vale dump Accrington Stanley out of FA Cup

Port Vale progressed through to the lucrative third-round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over fellow League Two side Accrington Stanley.

Freezing conditions had put the fixture in jeopardy but a first-half goal from Justin Richards soon warmed the home fans up.

Micky Adams named an unchanged side from that which mauled Stockport County 5-0 midweek.

Vale started the better of the side’s and an early goal nearly came from an unlikely source in Adam Yates but the right-back fired wide.

Micky Adams

Accrington’s Ray Putterill looked dangerous for the visitors and blasted over from 25 yards, and shot again moments later stinging the palms of Vale goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson.

Vale’s breakthrough and the only goal of the match came on 24 minutes. A right-wing cross from Gary Roberts was passed back across the face of goal by Rob Taylor, and Richards pounced on the opportunity to bury the ball into the roof of the net.

Vale chanced their luck on 39 minutes as Putterill’s effort beat Tomlinson but was denied by the framework of the goal.

The second-half didn’t give either set of fans much to cheer about as Vale were content at absorbing any Accrington pressure sent their way.

But the visitors could have forced a replay in the dying minutes thanks to Chris Turner’s strike, but Vale were indebted to Kris Taylor’s goal-line clearance and book their place in the third-round with the potential for a money-boosting Premier League tie.

The third-round draw will take place on ITV1 at 6pm with ties to take place over the weekend of January 8th and 9th 2011.

Who would you like to see Vale play in the next round – Manchester United, Chelsea, a lower league team – or Stoke City? Let North Staffs Football know by leaving a reply.

Vale cruise past Dartford in FA Cup replay

Port Vale eased into the second round of the FA Cup, seeing off non-league Dartford in last night’s (Nov 16) replay at Vale Park, writes Lewis Davies.
 
Marc Richards scored a brace before Sean Rigg and namesake Justin Richards made the game a rout.
 
The original tie had finished 1-1 in Kent but M. Richards settled the home side’s nerves when he hit home a 15th minute penalty after Gary Roberts was brought down in the box by Paul Goodacre.

Vale Park

 
That chalked up Richards eleventh goal of the campaign and he made it twelve just ten minutes later, hitting Kris Taylor’s cross past Andrew Young in the Dartford goal.
 
Despite starting the second-half brightly, the visitors went three goals down this time Rob Taylor provided the cross for Rigg to finish.
 
Vale fans will have been pleased to see J. Richards end his recent dip in form as he scored from M. Richards’ through ball to make it 4-0.

Micky Adams’s men will now face Accrington Stanley at Vale Park in the second-round, to be played on Nov 27.

To see Marc Richards penalty click below.