Break could derail Vale

Published 29 Sep 2009 16:02

HUGH Hamill admitted the league break came at the wrong time for his high-flying Vale of Leven side.

The Vale have been on a terrific run of form, with the team recording three wins on the trot to climb up to a top-four position in the table.

And on Wednesday night the Vale showed their quality by cruising to a 3-0 friendly win against Super Premier League opponents Beith at Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh. Dougie Wilson, Mark Bowie and Nicki McGeachie were all on target for the Vale.

But the Millburn Park manager insisted he would have wanted to continue with the league action.

He said: "The break has come at the wrong time.

"We have been on a very good run recently and the players have been performing well.

"We wanted to keep that form going so from a playing point of view it was not a welcome break for us.

"However, the win against Beith was very pleasing as they are two leagues above us and it was a very convincing win.

"It was a good opportunity to give

players a game and I managed to hand three of the younger lads from the under-21 team a run out."

Despite interrupting the Vale of Leven's impressive form, one advantage the September weekend brought was the chance for a recovery period for the injured members of the squad.

Hamill added: "There are a few guys out with injuries at the moment. Alan Gourlay has been suffering from a thigh strain, Jack Buchanan has been on the sidelines, while Ryan Russell is just getting back to full fitness as well.

"So the break has meant those players can get back to full fitness, but we have a big squad so it hasn't really affected us that much.

"We have been playing well recently and with a lot of hard work I think we will do well this season. Reaching the semi-final of the league cup was a great start for us.

"We were beaten heavily in the semi-final against Shotts but it shows the

players strength of character to bounce back in the league."

The Vale travel to Lanarkshire to take on Cambuslang Rangers on Saturday October 3 and kick-off is at 3 pm.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 29 Sep 09

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