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.

Neil Cox praises under pressure Dan Cope

Leek boss Neil Cox has been impressed with the way striker Dan Cope has responded to the pressure for his place, reports The Sentinel.

Dan Cope

Cope was last season’s Leek discovery after scoring 16 goals, and the club was delighted when he postponed his planned four-year scholarship to America.

But the youngster has found this term harder going, and although he is again leading scorer with six, he can no longer command a regular starting place.

Cox is currently looking at Leon Ashman and newcomer Anthony Malbon, from Port Vale, as his front two, so Cope and Paul Rutter have to await their opportunity.

Cox said: “We have four centre-forwards and I told them I would play the best two.”

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.