Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter | Sport

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Tuesday, 21st October, 2008 11:00

Vale put to the sword

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Vale of Leven 2 Rob Roy 4

Image related to story, see caption or article text

Vale in action in West of Scotland Cup round two

Pic by: Alistair McVicar

VALE OF LEVEN crashed out to Super Premier cracks Rob Roy despite a spirited late fight back.

Again, boss Hugh Hamill made a couple of changes in a bid to halt Vale’s poor home form.

In came Alan Brown and Kevin Montague in place of Robert McKenzie and David McNaught.

The Millburn men were pretty awful in the first half and found themselves two down at the break thanks to some sloppy play and a spot-kick that should never have been awarded.

Former Vale and Dumbarton player Chris Gentile opened the scoring for Rabs after 19 minutes when a slack clearance fell to him some 25 yards from goal and his first-time shot flew into the net with a slight deflection deceiving Vale keeper Matt Carr.

The visitors were looking the more impressive side but they should have been embarrassed at being gifted a second goal after 25 minutes.

Former St Anthony’s striker Jamie Docherty was played into the box and Vale keeper Carr dived at his feet, knocking the ball away. But the referee surprised everyone by awarding a spot-kick which Rabs’ captain Kevin McDonald blasted into the net.

Vale’s best effort of the half was a Craig Cavana header which crashed off the crossbar with former Dumbarton keeper Nugent beaten.

It was 3-0 on 61 minutes when striker Paul McDougall came deep to get the ball and then, unmarked, headed home a right-wing cross from Carter.

Though the game may have been beyond them, at last Vale came to life and Alan Filshie headed home a cross from McNaught after 68 minutes.

Three minutes later and it was game on as Gordon Martin crossed for fellow substitute David Meechan to force the ball home from close range.

Just as it looked like Vale could press on and take the game to a penalty kick decider they lost another soft goal just five minutes from time.

A weak shot seemed to be heading into the arms of Carr until Vale skipper Davie Grant’s sliced clearance only succeeded in sending the ball into his own net.

At the end of the day Vale were well beaten by a decent Rob Roy side, but again defensive lapses cost them dearly.

Best for Vale were Carr, McNaught and Grant Vehicle Repairs man of the match Allan Lees.

This weekend, Vale are away to

high-flying Ashfield on league duty. The Saracen Park side had a convincing 6-0 win at Irvine in the West Cup and will be hoping to improve on their third-place finish last season.

Vale: Carr; Buchanan, Cavana, Grant, Russell; Brown (McNaught 62), Filshie (Martin 69), Lees, Pawsey; Gourlay, Montague (Meechan 69). Unused Subs: Drain, Ward.

 Vale of Leven U21s won 4-1 against Renfrew Burgh in the Scottish Cup. A double from Mark Brown added to strikes from Nicky McGeachie and David McBarrons saw the boys into the third round where they face Blantyre Vics on November 1.

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