The Valiants travel to Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday evening, looking to make it into the Quarter Finals of the Vertu Trophy.
Vale make the trip up North following a 1-0 win over Fleetwood Town in the Emirates FA Cup to progress to the Fourth Round. A lovely strike from Jordan Shipley on the stroke of half-time was the deciding goal in a game which saw Jon Brady's reign as boss get off to the best start.
Post Match Reaction
Here’s what Brady had to say regarding FA Cup progression:
“Really happy with the boys today. To play the way they did and create some really good chances in that first half.
“I’d like us to sustain more attacks, so when we get into the final third, to have a bit more control.”
Our Opponents
The Trotters were once an established Premier League side in the early 2000s, before their relegation to the Championship in 2012. During this period, they also reached the FA Cup Semi Final at Wembley Stadium.
Bolton did spend the 2020/2021 season in League Two, but won promotion back to League One at the first time of asking. Since then, they have remained in League One, finishing in the Play Offs on two occasions, but failing to secure promotion in both instances.
Wanderers currently play at the Toughsheet Stadium, which holds close to 29,000. They sit in 6th position in the League, occupying that last Play Off spot.
Bolton started their league campaign in fantastic form, not losing their first game until late September, but have slipped a little recently and remain winless in their last 4. Steven Schumacher’s side comes into Tuesday's clash off the back of a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Peterborough United
The Opposition Dugout
Steven Schumacher is the current manager of Bolton Wanderers following his appointment in January of this year. Steven took the reins from Ian Evatt after the latter was relieved of his duties. In the 51 games that Schumacher has taken charge of at Bolton, he has won twenty-two of those, with a win percentage of 43%.
Before his move to Greater Manchester, Steven had managerial spells at Plymouth Argyle and, more recently, Stoke City.
Player to Watch
A player for Vale fans to watch out for is Amario Cozier-Duberry. He has been Bolton’s standout performer so far this season. Amario is on loan from Premier League side Brighton and currently has six goals and eight assists this season.
The midfielder has scored some vital goals already this season for his side, with three of his six league goals coming in stoppage time after the ninety-minute mark to earn his side some important points in their hunt for promotion.
Fixture Throwback
Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Port Vale, 10th December 1988
Vale have found wins hard to come by in recent history against Tuesday's hosts, but the Valiants did beat them in the FA Cup Second Round in 1988.
This FA Cup second round tie was played at Bolton’s old stadium at Burnden Park, and it was the home side who took an 18th-minute lead when Glenn Keeley headed the Trotters in front from a corner.
Vale regrouped at half time and came back into the game to draw level in the 58th minute when a Darren Hughes cross was headed home by Ron Futcher.
Twelve minutes later, Vale were ahead. Ray Walker sent over an in-swinging corner which Bolton goalkeeper Dave Felgate dropped, leaving Robbie Earle to prod the loose ball home.
