Maldon & Tiptree tie why we love football - Moore

Darren Moore took over at Port Vale in February 2024

Port Vale manager Darren Moore says their FA Cup first round tie against the lowest-ranked team in the competition - eighth-tier Maldon & Tiptree - is "why we love football".

The Valiants take on the leaders of the Isthmian League North at Vale Park on Sunday, trying to make it through to the second round of the competition for the third time since 2021-22.

Moore knows a lot of attention is going to be on the fixture and epitomises what the cup is all about.

"You can understand it because you see the level we're playing at and the level they're playing at," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"This is why we love football. Football is steeped in history of teams coming together at this level."

With Vale heavy favourites, Moore is keen to channel the mentality his side had when they were the underdogs in their Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal in September.

Against a strong Gunners side that featured England internationals Myles Lewis-Skelly, Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, Vale's 2-0 defeat was only sealed when Belgium forward Leandro Trossard scored Mikel Arteta's side's second goal in the 86th minute.

"Everyone will be saying 'Vale should win' - I'm asking everyone supporting Vale to come with the mindset that they had against Arsenal," Moore said.

"There's the challenge for us all - the mindset needed for Arsenal. Mentally you've got to stimulate yourself.

"They came here and Mikel didn't change much from his Premier League team - you saw the mindset they had the utmost respect for Port Vale.

"That's the same level of respect we have for the FA Cup on Sunday."

'Our preparation has been detailed'

Maldon & Tiptree's FA Cup journey started in August and they have come through five qualifying rounds to earn a shot at Vale and at potentially causing a huge shock.

They have a number of players with English Football League and Premier League experience, such as former West Ham and Ipswich striker Freddie Sears.

The 35-year-old has scored 15 goals already this season and will try to fire the minnows into the second round for only the second time, after they beat then-League Two side Leyton Orient in 2019.

"We've sent a scout to watch them, we've watched videos of them - exactly as we would for a league game," said Moore.

"I've challenged everyone - there's no difference taking on a top team or a team outside the [top] pyramid.

"They've got players that have played at the level above where Vale are now and they'll be mentally stimulated coming to Vale Park."

"Our preparation has been detailed. Every single moment of this job matters in terms of what we're doing off the field and on it.

"This occasion is no different."