The Valiants take a break from league action this weekend as we welcome Isthmian Division One North side, Maldon & Tiptree, to Vale Park in the First Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Sunday’s fixture sees the Vale go up against the lowest-ranked side left in the FA Cup in Maldon & Tiptree, who began their FA Cup journey back in August in the Extra-Preliminary Round.
Press Conference Takeaways:
Here’s what the gaffer had to say ahead of Sunday’s fixture:
“This is the part of the FA Cup that puts us against Maldon & Tiptree at this level of the competition. It shows you what the FA Cup can bring. You’ve got two teams at different ends of the pyramid, and this brings it together.
"They are a team that’s coming up, they are the lowest-ranked team in the competition, they’ve some ex-professional players that have played above the level that we’re at now. So, there’s going to be some ex-pro’s on show from them on Sunday that have been in the area and that understand the arena.
"I’m really looking forward to the game because it’s the next game that we have after Monday night to get the bad taste out of our mouths, but we know we need put on a real good performance if we are to progress.”
Our Opponents:
The Jammers are currently the lowest-ranked side in the Emirates FA Cup. They sit top of the Isthmian Division One North, which is the eighth tier of English Football.
Sunday’s fixture will be their seventh Emirates FA Cup Fixture of the season as they began their campaign in the qualifying rounds back in August. Since then, they have won all seven ties, scoring 16 goals and conceding just three in what has been an impressive run so far.
In the League, Maldon & Tiptree currently sit at the top of the table with 31 points from 12 games played so far this season.
The Opposition Dugout:
The Jammers are currently managed by former Northern Ireland international Kevin Horlock. The midfielder played over 200 times for Manchester City in a career that spanned over 20 years.
Horlock is currently in his second spell in charge of Maldon & Tiptree. His first came between 2016-18 where he managed over 100 games before leaving to take charge of Colchester United’s U23 side.
The 53-year-old returned to The Drewitt-Barlow Stadium in February this year after spells at Chatham Town and Needham Market.
Players to watch:
Despite being in the eighth tier of English Football, The Jammers are littered with experienced football league players.
Centre back Tom Eastham has played over 400 times for Colchester United. He is joined by his former teammate Anthony Wordsworth, who has over 200 appearances in the EFL.
In attack, Maldon & Tiptree boast plenty of experience with former Celtic striker Gary Hooper leading the line, along with former West Ham United forward Freddie Sears. They have also recently signed Macauley Bonne who has played for clubs like Ipswich Town, Colchester United, and Charlton Atheltic.
