Jon Brady calls Sunderland FA Cup tie the ultimate test and warns over Vale Park pitch | OneFootball

Port Vale head coach Jon Brady has described Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie with Sunderland as the ultimate test and suggested the pitch could narrow the gap.

Sunderland Echo notes that the League One strugglers, bottom of the third tier, reached this stage by beating Championship side Bristol City in extra time on Tuesday in a postponed fourth-round tie. Ben Waine struck a 112th-minute winner at Vale Park to set up a Sunday lunchtime meeting with Regis Le Bris’ top flight Black Cats.

Brady said his players are looking forward to the challenge, while warning the surface is difficult for both teams. He felt the late winner added drama and admitted Vale might have been ahead earlier, with the decisive effort almost rolling over the line.

He praised Waine’s work-rate, noting the forward had four or five big chances and needed a goal. Brady also pointed out that City created little on target, saying Vale’s structure held firm and was executed well.

Bristol City head coach Gerhard Struber apologised to the travelling support, called for unity and accepted the pitch made top-level chance creation hard. He still believed his side had enough to change the game and was disappointed with their response.

Source: Sunderland Echo