Port Vale Preview

Stevenage embark on another FA Cup journey this weekend as they travel up to Stoke to face League 2 side Port Vale. This time last year we were preparing for another trip up the M1, that time it was to Leicester, who comfortably beat us 3-0 at the Walkers Stadium. Now though, Boro are a much improved and experienced team. A year ago Westley was still trying to find his best side and had major problems at the back. That isn’t the case now. Boro are unbeaten since August when Blue Square Premier leaders Oxford beat them 2-1 at the Kassam Stadium. Port Vale are also in good form and it should be interesting to find out what kind of gap there is between the Conference and League 2.

As the Comet reported today, Boro are still without Andy Drury, Lee Boylan and Darren Murphy. None of these being unavailable for the game are big surprises so I imagine it will be a similar line up as to what faced Kettering last Saturday. The only change I can see GW making is bringing in Mitchell Cole for Chris Beardsley. Cole always seems to find extra motivation for the bigger games, while Beardsley didn’t set the world alight last weekend against his former club.

Port Vale received a boost this week after finding out that in form loanee Lewis Haldane has been granted permission to play in this weekend’s fixture. Haldane is on loan at Vale Park from Bristol Rovers and is well known to Boro supporters as he had a loan spell at BSP rivals Oxford last season. On the down side, defender Sam Stockley has been forced to retire from the game due to injury. Manager Micky Adams has been shortlisted for the League 2 manager of the month after an unbeaten record and his Vale side are now safe in mid-table after a poor start to the campaign.

Boro’s opponents this weekend have already had some good experiences in the cup competitions so far this season. Vale beat both Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday in the Carling Cup before being knocked out by Scunthorpe United. They’ve also reached the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern Section Quarter Final against Bradford City after beating Stockport 3-1 in early October. Stevenage have only played the one cup game this season and that was in the last round against Chelmsford, which we won 2-1.

It’s quite a difficult game to call. Both sides have some form behind them and are tough teams to beat. Stevenage haven’t lost in over 2 months and will not just be looking for the draw and a replay. Boro will go there to win. However, Micky Adams has got Vale going now and his side are unbeaten in 7. They nearly beat high-flying Dagenham last time out, but for a late Josh Scott equaliser.

Obviously the league 2 side are the favourites for the game, but I wouldn’t rule us out. In my opinion, I think our better performances have come away from home so far this season. Mansfield and Luton come to mind. We’re getting better at going to the ‘big’ clubs and getting a result and I wouldn’t be surprised to see us pull this one out of the bag either.

Stevenage Squad

Ashley Bayes, Chris Day, Scott Laird, Ronnie Henry, Jon Ashton, Mark Roberts, Mark Albrighton, Eddie Odhiambo, Michael Bostwick, Stacy Long, David Bridges, Joel Byrom, Mitchell Cole, Yemi Odubade, Charlie Griffin, Chris Beardsley, Peter Vincenti

Directions to Port Vale FC

Prediction: Port Vale 1-1 Boro