Preview: Fleetwood Town v Port Vale

14 September 2020

Fleetwood Town face Port Vale on Tuesday 15 September at Highbury Stadium in the second round of the Carabao Cup, and we have all you need to know ahead of the 7pm kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Fleetwood Town v Port Vale

Competition: Carabao Cup Round Two

Date: Tuesday 15 September 2020

Kick-off: 19:00

Venue: Highbury Stadium, Park Avenue, Fleetwood, FY7 6TX

Match officials: Ross Joyce (Referee), Graeme Fyvie & Alan Clayton (Assistant Referees), Mark Cunliffe (Fourth Official)

FLEETWOOD TOWN

Fleetwood Town go into this second round tie against The Valiants on the back of a 2-1 win over Burton Albion in Saturday’s Sky Bet League One opener at Highbury – with this being the side’s third home game in a row.

Callum Camps – who scored in Town’s EFL Trophy game against Carlisle United at the start of the month – broke the deadlock in the first half but had John Brayford cancel that out later in the game. With ten minutes to go, Paddy Madden tapped home from close range to secure all three points for the Cod Army.

Before that fixture, Fleetwood managed to beat Wigan Athletic 3-2 in the first round of the Carabao Cup at Highbury. After going two goals down, a Ched Evans brace and another from Josh Morris saw Fleetwood earn their spot in the second round of the competition.

PORT VALE

Sky Bet League Two side Vale are heading into this clash on the back of three wins, across three different competitions. The latest of those results saw them overcome Crawley Town at vale Park, as they won 2-0 with Mark Cullen scoring a brace on the day.

The Valiants’ most recent result was a Sky Bet League Two fixture, which was a 2-0 win over Crawley Town at Vale Park. Mark Cullen was the key player on the day, as his brace secured all three points for his side on the opening day of the season.

A week before this fixture, Vale played out a goalless draw against Tranmere Rovers in normal time in the EFL Trophy, before beating them 4-3 on penalties.

COACHES QUOTES AHEAD OF THE GAME – JOEY BARTON

Head coach Joey Barton spoke after Fleetwood Town’s 2-1 win over Burton Albion in Sky Bet League One on Saturday about the win and Tuesday’s cup clash against Port Vale.

On Town’s win over Burton: “It was a really competitive game, but we're delighted to take maximum points. It was a strange game really; I don't think I've seen the post and crossbar hit so many times in one game!

“Our boys showed great quality and character to get that second goal and from then on I thought we were relatively comfortable, so really, really pleased – there was three points on offer, and we took the maximum.”

On Tuesday’s cup tie against Vale: “We’ve played Port Vale over the last couple of pre-seasons, so we know that a good side they are - we know we are in for a competitive fixture. The cups are always a nice distraction, and it would be nice to have a good cup run.”

Watch his interview on our iFollow HERE.

ONE TO WATCH – MARK CULLEN

One for Fleetwood fans to keep an eye out for is forward, Mark Cullen.

Cullen – a Newcastle United academy player – joined Hull City in 2010. After loan spells at Bradford, Bury and Stockport, he signed for Luton Town, scoring 24 in 71 games, earning a move to Blackpool in 2015.

The forward shone at Blackpool in the 2016/17 season, scoring 13 times and finishing the top scorer that season, and scored the winning goal in the League Two play-off final, before joining Vale in the summer of 2019.

Since joining The Valiants, he has scored nine goals in 28 appearances, with his last two coming in the side’s last game, which was a 2-0 win over Crawley Town.

WATCH THE GAME ON iFOLLOW

Supporters can now purchase video match passes for Fleetwood Town’s Carabao Cup clash against Port Vale on Tuesday.

With games still being played behind closed doors, the match pass is your best option to watch the Cod Army during the early stages of the 2020/21 season.

Complimentary passes will be distributed to Onward Card holders for any home league games which are behind closed doors, but you can now stream live video of cup and away fixtures for just £10.

If you'd like to purchase your match pass, click HERE.

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Match Reports

Report: Fleetwood secure spot in Carabao Cup third round after Vale win

15 September 2020

Fleetwood Town secured their spot in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, as they beat Port Vale 2-1 at Highbury Stadium.

The Cod Army took the lead through a first-half deflected Paddy Madden strike, but the visitors pulled the game back level through Danny Whitehead soon after the restart. Ten minutes from the end, Josh Morris struck the ball with venom at Dino Visser’s goal, scoring the winning goal in the process.

Fleetwood had the first chance, and it came after just two minutes as Morris played the ball down the right to Wes Burns, who brought it under control and forced a low-save from Visser.

A few minutes later, Whelan picked up the ball on the edge of the Vale area, lobs it over the Vale defence finding Callum Camps who take a knock, but the referee plays on.

Eight minutes in, Paul Coutts floated a free-kick into the opposition’s box from deep but James Hill – who won the man of the match award in the last game – could only guide his effort into the keeper’s path.

Fleetwood took the lead soon after as Ched Evans stormed down the right-wing, taking on his man in the process, before crossing the ball into Madden, whose deflected shot found the back of the net.

Vale had their first chance of the game in the 20^th minute as Whitehead played Alex Hurst through. He then crossed the ball to Theo Robinson, but his shots went narrowly wide.

Just after the half-hour mark, Evans was through, running towards the Valiants box, before striking the ball towards goal, forcing another save out of Visser.

The first chance of the second half fell to the visitors as a low-corner was driven in from the right towards the edge of the box, where Whitehead was waiting, who struck the ball first time into the bottom corner.

Fleetwood were then back on the attack after the referee flagged a Port Vale defender for a handball just outside the box. Morris stepped over the dead ball and struck it just over.

In the 66^th minute, substitute Harvey Saunders – who replaced Evans – made a run through the Vale defence, the ball was crossed into him from the right, but his effort hit the crossbar.

Fleetwood retook the lead with ten minutes to go as Saunders nodded a throw-in towards Camps, who played the ball to Morris, whose strike went straight into the bottom corner – making the game 2-1.

The last chance of the game came from a Fleetwood free-kick, 20-yards out, as Dammy Andrew guided the ball towards goal, but was easily saved by the Vale goalkeeper.

Town XI: Cairns (GK), Andrew, Whelan, Burns, Evans (Saunders 55’), Camps (Matete 80’), Morris, Coutts (C) (Duffy 62’), Madden, Stubbs, Hill.

Subs not used: Leutwiler (GK), Boyes, Garner, Holgate.

Vale XI: Visser (GK), Crookes, Mills, Brisley (C), Montano, Trickett-Smith (Joyce 65’), Oyekele (Burgess (74’), Hurst, Whitehead, Robinson, McKirdy (Worrall 72’).

Subs not used: Brown (GK), Smith, Fitzpatrick, Cullen.