After picking up back-to-back wins in the league, our attention turns to the Carabao Cup when we host League Two side Crewe Alexandra.

The Vale are coming into the game after picking up all three points against Carlisle United on Saturday. James Wilson scored the only goal of the game when he dispatched a penalty in the 50th minute. 

In the last round of the Carabao Cup the Valiants ran out 3-2 winners against Fleetwood Town. The Cod Army took the lead through Cian Hayes as he curled home an effort into the top left corner in the fifth minute.

13 minutes later, Ethan Chislett levelled the scores when he fired home a curling effort from just outside the box. At the break, the scores were level. However, they weren’t for long when Ryan Graydon headed in at the near post from close range following a corner from the left side in the 48th minute.

Ten minutes later, Vale levelled again when Josh Thomas bared down on goal and took aim from the right side of the box, his effort deflected over the outstretched arm of Jay Lynch and nestled in the back of the net.

The winning goal came 18 minutes from time when James Plant spotted the run of Gavin Massey down the right side, he beat the keeper to the ball before crossing to Chislett to head home and send Vale into the next round. 

Crosby's Comments

Here’s what the gaffer had to say following Saturday’s victory against Carlisle United:

“I am pleased with large aspects of the performance, the team we picked was to try and control the game and look at what they wanted to try and do, I thought we did that for large periods. What’s disappointing is that we didn’t capitalise on those periods of dominance and when you allow the game to go into the latter stages of the game at 1-0 you’re always one error away from the team getting something from the game. That’s the one disappointment that we didn’t finish the game off sooner.

“We ran around a lot, we showed a real togetherness, people came off the bench and made an impact. I think that the ruthless nature, if you want to be competitive and successful this season, you have got to take the game away from Carlisle earlier on.”

The Opposition

The Railwaymen currently occupy 14th place in Skybet League Two after picking up one win and three draws from their five league games so far. Their only league win came against Newport County on Tuesday 15th August when they won 4-2, A brace from Mickey Demetriou and a goal each from Rio Adebesi and Elliot Nevitt helped Crewe to a convincing home win.

The Alex pulled off a cup-set in the first round of the Carabao Cup after they beat Sunderland on penalties at the Stadium of Light. Crewe captain Luke Offord put his side ahead in first half added time before Sunderland levelled in the 64th minute through 16-year-old, Chris Rigg. Eventually the game went to penalties, Crewe scored all five of their spot kicks and on-loan keeper Harvey Davies saved Pierre Ekwah’s penalty to help the Railwaymen run out 5-3 winners on penalties.

Last Time We Met

Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Port Vale, Saturday 2nd November 2019.

We have to go back three and half years since the sides last met in a competitive fixture. Jake Taylor scored the only goal of the game with a close-range finish in the 61st minute to help Vale take all three points back to Staffordshire. 

One to Watch - Mickey Demetriou

The 33-year-old arrived in South Cheshire in the summer from Newport County where he made 300 appearances for The Exiles. Demetriou has amassed 480 professional appearances in his career and he adds a lot of experience in what is a fairly young Crewe side.

He made a great start to his time at Crewe as he scored on his debut in their 2-2 draw against Mansfield Town, Demetriou also scored a brace in his sides 4-2 win against his former club Newport County. He currently stands at Crewe’s leading scoring this season which isn’t bad considering he’s played in the back three all season!