NIGEL Clough was disappointed to be drawn away in the Carabao Cup but hopes that an away tie at Port Vale can be the start of another good run in the competition.
Albion will travel to Vale Park in the First Round to renew rivalries with our Staffordshire neighbours who the Brewers played in the Checkatrade Trophy last season.
Clough said: “We would have loved to have been at home, but the saving grace of it is that we are only 45 minutes down the road, so it’s not far for our fans to travel. Like a lot of cup draws it could have been better, but it could have been worse.
“We want to get off to a good start in the competition again.
“You have to start somewhere and if you don’t get through these early rounds then you don’t get the chance to have the glory like we did last season.
“It’s still a very important tie for us.”
Clough hopes the omens are good for Albion.
“John Askey was manager at Shrewsbury when we had our First Round last year and that started our great run so it’s ironic to be facing him again at the same stage this year.
“After Gillingham away in the league we now go to Port Vale and it’s game we won’t take lightly but one we want to win so we can make progress in the competition.”
Matches are scheduled to take place week commencing August 12.
Date and ticket tickets details will be confirmed in the near future