Published: Tuesday, 23rd September, 2008 14:00
Hard fought win for Vale
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VALE progressed to the next round of the prestigious West cup with this hard fought win at Nithside Park on Saturday.
Despite the flattering scoreline, this was a fairly even contest as the home side only fell away when they lost their discipline in the second half.
Boss Hugh Hamill made two changes to the side which lost narrowly at Cambuslang the previous week, Gordon Martin and new signing David Meechan coming in for McNaught and Craig Cavana.
The Millburn men got off to a flying start, ahead within 60 seconds. Meechan played in Mark Pawsey and the combined efforts of keeper Best and McCluskie sent him crashing. Up stepped top scorer Kevin Montague to blast the ball into the net.
For 20 minutes Vale dominated proceedings, but gradually the home side came into the match and they really should have equalised when Vale lost possession and conceded a free-kick. The ball was whipped into the box, but somehow Pagan missed the target from point blank range.
At the other end, Pawsey set up Meechan but his first time effort flew over the bar.
Two minutes from the break, Mark Pawsey showed great awareness to intercept a back pass to the keeper and from a tight angle he squeezed Vale into a two goal lead.
There hadn’t been a bad tackle in the game, but within the opening seven minutes of the second period Rovers’ Shaw was booked for almost cutting Graeme McKenzie in two. The same player then stupidly kicked Allan Lees right in front of the referee and was promptly shown a second yellow.
Kello’s hopes diminished further when keeper Best was injured as he saved from Pawsey and was replaced by an outfield player.
Pawsey netted Vale’s third goal when he broke free on the left after 72 minutes and drilled a low shot into the net.
A minute later, Vale keeper Matt Carr brought down Frew but fortunately the referee only cautioned the Vale number one and from the penalty Carr dived to his right to block Frew’s effort.
A further minute later and Kello were down to nine men when Bell received a second caution and then Pawsey grabbed his own third goal of the afternoon to secure Vale’s safe passage into the second round.
Best for Vale were Lees, Carr, Martin and the outstanding hat-trick hero Mark Pawsey.
Vale: Carr, G McKenzie, R McKenzie, Grant, Russell, Montague (Cavana 70), Buchanan (Filshie 75), Lees, Martin, Pawsey, Meechan (McNaught 59).
Vale have no game this Saturday but on Saturday October 4 they host Benburb in the league.
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