Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter | Sport

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Tuesday, 20th November, 2007 10:00

VALE GO TOP

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Shettleston 2 Vale of Leven 4

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VALE moved to top spot in the table with this hard fought win over Shettleston at Greenfield Park on Saturday.

The Millburn men fully deserved their win although they only just got there thanks to Alex Drain’s goal line clearance with the score at 3-2.

With Alex Lacy not fully fit, Vale boss Hugh Hamill recalled Hugh Ward to the starting eleven as he opted for a back three.

Shettleston almost caught Vale on the break after just 10 minutes, when Gordon Martin gave the ball away but fortunately Matt Carr got down to take the ball off the toes of Thomson as he looked sure to score.

Five minutes later, Martin almost made amends when he got on the end of Buchanan’s corner but keeper Hutchison dived to push away his netbound header.

Martin was involved again five minutes later as Vale edged ahead, this time the ball broke to Dougie Wilson 20 yards from goal and his first time shot beat Hutchison.

The home side drew level on the half hour mark when Crichton crossed from the right and Da Silva turned to fire the ball home from 12 yards.

Vale regained the lead seven minutes into the second half when Wilson and Ferguson combined on the right and when the ball was played into the box, Hugh Ward turned his marker inside out before drilling a low shot into the far corner of the net.

Both Martin and Ward came close to adding to Vale’s lead before the Millburn men got a vital third goal after 71 minutes.

Gordon Martin skipped past a couple of tackles on the left before cutting inside to fire a low show that beat Hutchison at his near post.

Vale were well on top but they were put under pressure when Shettleston reduced the margin with three minutes remaining. McKenzie failed to clear his lines and substitute Sherriff pounced to slot the ball past Carr.

From the restart Vale were again in trouble and only a headed goal line clearance from Alex Drain kept Vale in front.

With the scare over, Vale immediately raced upfield and Kevin Montague secured all three points when he fired the ball home from 20 yards.

Best for Vale were keeper Matt Carr, Hugh Ward, Alex Drain, Alan Ferguson and man of the match Davie Grant.

Vale of Leven: Carr, McKenzie, Grant, Drain, Buchanan, King, Filshie, Martin (Wotherspoon 84), Gourlay (Ferguson 43), Ward (Montague 70), Wilson. Unused Subs: O’Donnell and Lacy.

This weekend, Vale are again away when they travel to take on Wishaw, kick off 1-45pm.

Meanwhile, the Under 21s had a fine win when they beat Celtic B.C. with goals from Mark Pawsey and a Greg Chalmers double. This week the boys are away to Fife when they take on Greig Park Rangers in the Lady Darling Cup.

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