Its easy to be scornful of this Mickey Mouse competition, it comes bottom of the list in everyones hopes and aspirations for the new season. But deep down there is another truth of which we are all aware of but never say out loud.
The truth is this. The Johnstones Paint Trophy represents a very good opportunity to reach a Wembley final. Having won the competition twice in its previous incarnations as The LDV Cup and The Autoglass Trophy we certainly know its true potential at Vale.
It will certainly be interesting to see how many ‘weakened’ teams will appear next week. My guess is that the majority will be putting out pretty much their strongest available line-ups, with maybe a youngster or two thrown in for a bit of experience.
Current Form…
Hosts Stockport were promoted up to League 1 last season and have made a stuttering (but by no means desperate) start to the season having won one, drawn two and lost one of the opening four league games. Yesterday saw Stockport take a bit of a pounding at home to Scunthorpe.
We, of course, were relegated last season – but have made a promising start to the new campaign with two wins, a draw and the one ‘blip’ – the home defeat to Accy Stanners a couple of weeks ago.
Stockport County Team News:
For all the lastest on Stockport County click Here
Player to watch: Peter Thompson…
Striker who arrived at County from Irish side Linfield for a six figure fee, and although has yet to open his account for his new club is considered to be a little bit useful.
Port Vale Team News:
Shane Tudor, Paul Edwards and Steve Thompson will all be unavailable through injuries.
New loan signing Tom Taiwo had a more than useful half-an-hour on the pitch yesterday against Bournemouth and should certainly be given a start in this game. David Howland and Simon Richman also played well yesterday in midfield as Manager Lee Sinnott looks to build a promotion challenging young squad.
Vital Vale Line-up: Anyon(GK), Stockley(RB), Slater(CH), McCombe(CH), Collins(LB), Richman(RM), Griffith(CM), Taiwo(CM), Richman(LM), Rodgers(CF), Richards(CF).
Click Here for full squad details…
Player to watch: Tom Taiwo…
18-year-old Chelsea starlet who is at Vale Park on a months loan. Technically gifted with the ability to pull strings in midfield.
Autoglass Trophy 1993…
Port Vale 2-1 Stockport County
A first ever trip to Wembley for Vale, and quite rightly it ended with a glorious victory. The quality we had under the leadership of John Rudge was incredible, so many hero’s during the ’90’s.
Match Prediction:
Stockport County 1-2 Port Vale I really cannot see us getting beat at Stockport, yesterday we looked like a side that had got its shit together…
Next Fixture…
Sat 6th September Bradford City (H) 3pm
IMO this is a chance for Sinnott to play some of the youth squad getting out of this division is where we should be at. Give some of the senior players a rest ahead of next Saturdays game.
I was at the millenium stadium in 2001 and it was a fantastic day! We should give it our best shot, it would be brilliant if we got to Wembley this season.
Not our strongest team and 1-0 to stockport was about right.
Fair result and a decent following from your boys last night. Hats off to Vale fans who made the trip.
Too many changes to the line-up and we were rubbish. Sadly our best chance of a goal fell to Kyle Perry and needless to say he missed.
Chance to get a win and some confidence