Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter | Sport

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Tuesday, 14th October, 2008 10:45

No case for Vale defence

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Vale of LEven 3 Thornliewood United 4

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Vale in action

THREE home points slipped away as Vale gifted victory to Thorniewood in this entertaining match at Millburn on Saturday.

As had been the tale of Vale’s season to date, it was defensive frailties that again cost them the game.

The home side reverted to a back three with Cavana recalled in place of Martin, and comeback man Alan Gourlay replacing Graeme McKenzie, and the changes paid early dividends when Vale took the lead after just six minutes. David McNaught finished clinically at the near post after Gourlay and Buchanan combined on the right.

The visitors, who finished runners-up to Vale last season, came close to levelling after 15 minutes when Mullen shot from 20 yards was tipped onto the base of his right hand post by the diving Carr.

Wood were causing problems with inviting crosses into the box and after 21 minutes they were awarded a rather soft penalty after the ball bounced up to hit a Vale arm in the packed goalmouth. Stephen Mullen dispatched the spot kick low to the keepers right and into the net to tie the scores.

Three minutes later and Vale were in trouble again when a corner on the right was met by the head of defender Mark Daly and from six yards out his powerful header entered the net via the underside of Carrs crossbar.

The goals continued to flow and after 31 minutes Vale were awarded an equally-soft spot kick for hand ball and Allan Lees stepped up to fire the equaliser into the net.

Vale then took the lead with a third goal after 38 minutes when McNaught sent Mark Pawsey clear on the left and he raced away to slot the ball past the advancing Wood keeper.

With the referee looking at his watch Vale were caught on the break, and from Mullen’s cross from the right Des Bradshaw was left with a simple tap in for the equaliser.

The second period failed to match the first for goals but the one goal that did come sent the men from Viewpark home happy. Having just produced a magnificent save to deny Bradshaw after 70 minutes Vale keeper Carr completely missed a long throw five minutes later and Mullen was left with a simple chance to convert the winning goal.

Vale: Carr; R.McKenzie, Grant, Cavana; Buchanan, Filshie (Martin 80), Lees, Russell; Gourlay (Montague 74),McNaught (Meechan 79), Pawsey. Unused Subs: Drain, G.McKenzie.

This week Vale are again at home when they take on Super League title contenders Kirkintilloch Rob Roy at Millburn in the second round of the West of Scotland Cup, kick-off 2pm.

The Scottish Junior Cup draw took place on Sunday and Vale face a short trip to take on Greenock at Ravenscraig on Saturday November 1. The under- 21s Scottish Cup tie against Renfrew Burgh was cancelled due to the weather and will be rescheduled for this week at the Argyll.

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