Outstanding Port Vale overcome absences with FA Cup win

An in-depth look at Port Vale and their FA Cup first-round replay victory at Burton Albion

Vale’s players celebrate Gavin Massey’s opener at Burton. Picture by Tom Green

Outstanding Vale. Andy Crosby’s team shrugged off the absence of ten senior players through injury or international call ups to win 2-0 at Burton and earn a place in the FA Cup second round.

Gavin Massey netted the opener on 31 minutes, reacting quickest to score from the rebound after Tom Sang’s effort had been pushed away by Max Crocombe.

Cole Stockton had a header ruled out for offside at the start of the second half but a goal then would have been harsh on Vale who controlled most of the game and made certain of their win on 82 minutes when substitute Lewis Cass connected with Tom Sang’s low cross.

The win takes Vale through to a second-round tie at Stevenage on the weekend of December 2. Their more immediate reward is a free weekend as they rest up after a busy schedule ready to return for Shrewsbury away on November 25.

Please read on for this morning’s Wednesday November 15 edition of The Valiant in full.