It\u2019s hard to think of a better dual carriageway in the whole of England than the A50 to Stoke perhaps only rivalled in the East Midlands by the newly enforced A453 or the A46 between Leicester and Newark or Newark to Lincoln after those blessed roundabouts around the A1.<\/p>\n
Anyway back to football and the Stags alas the pride of Mansfield although others may argue that there\u2019s a bigger game in Forest Town tonight as AFC and the Bulls take on the Highwaymen of Newark Flowserve in a local derby that whets the appetite in the FA Vase\u2026 I\u2019m starting to wonder if the trip to Port Vale is worth it after all?<\/p>\n
But it is. Whilst the Bulls need to win four matches to get to Wembley the Stags need only three and should they beat Port Vale tonight a quarter final place beckons in the Leasing.com Trophy a competition (all be it under a different sponsor) once won by Mansfield, George Foster and co back in 1987.<\/p>\n
Hot off the press is that Port Vale could be distracted from a visit of boring old Mansfield in a tin pot cup as news that they\u2019ll be facing Premier League Champions Manchester City holders of the FA Cup in the worlds oldest knockout competition in January.<\/p>\n
Veteran Striker Tom Pope who once tweeted he would score 40 goals a season playing against John Stones will now finally get his wish. But first he needs to see off Krystian Pearce and co as Mansfield roll in to the Potteries this evening.<\/p>\n
The Stags are without Danny Rose (again) although the striker is expected to return to training this week after his hamstring injury resurfaced at Macclesfield causing a couple of weeks of PS2, Nintendo 64 or whatever they play nowadays. Craig Davies is still a few weeks away so Maynard & Cook should start up top although they are both without a goal in three games as are the club having a hat-trick of blanks of late.<\/p>\n
Wing back Hayden White is also out but the likes of Omari Sterling-James and Austrian Goalkeeper Robert Olejnik could be given game time by John Dempster as they were against Burton in what was the last time Mansfield won a game of football.<\/p>\n
Who\u2019s to say they can\u2019t do it tonight?? Tickets are available at \u00a310 adults and \u00a35 concessions with the Bulls Head in Burslem Town Centre very much recommended for away fans to drink in but remember folks\u2026. Don\u2019t drink and drive and take care on the A50 both in and out of Stoke.<\/p>\n