Vale's late strike sinks Gow

Published 16 Mar 2010 15:00 0 Comments

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HERO: David McBarron

Stagecoach Central League 1st Division

Lesmahagow.............................. 1

Vale of Leven.............................. 2

HUGH Hamill's men showed tremendous character to claim all three points against a stubborn Gow side, who looked to have stolen a point with a late equaliser.

Despite winning their last four games to make a push for promotion, Vale didn't have their troubles to seek going into this match.

Already without the unavailable Bowie, Berry and the injured Dougie Wilson, Lees and Parlane, they were further hampered by the unavailability of top scorer Mark Pawsey and a late injury that ruled out keeper Matty Carr for the first time after 7,470 minutes of consecutive action.

Carr's hand injury allowed Robert Tiropoulos to make his debut second time around after his recent signing from Clydebank, with veteran striker Hugh Ward replacing Pawsey from last week's winning side at Maryhill.

Vale's last win on the infamous Lesmahagow slope was on March 23, 1996, when Alex Lacy made his debut as a goalscoring substitute in a famous 5-1 victory.

Making his 398th appearance for the Dark Blues, the Vale captain continued his outstanding form of late.

Shooting up the hill, Vale had most of the early play but they got a fright after 16 minutes when home striker Black headed well wide from a good position right in front of goal.

Gradually Vale regained their composure and Buchanan's surge forward released Russell on the left and his deep cross was narrowly headed over by Brian Smith.

On the half-hour mark Vale got their noses in front when a long kick out from Tiropoulos was gathered by David McNaught out on the left touchline and the striker ran into the box and from an impossible angle, somehow managing to squeeze the ball into the net.

Five minutes later and Hugh Ward, just four goals short of John Filshie's goalscoring record, almost doubled Vale's lead. But keeper Thomson did well to save his low effort from just inside the area.

As the half time whistle approached Gow almost grabbed an equaliser when they caught Vale on the break.

Russell lost the ball as he tried to cross and, after Filshie missed his tackle, the home side surged forward before Tiropoulos made another great save.

Ten minutes into the second half and David McNaught set up Russell, but the Vale man fired over from good position as the visitors looked to increase their lead.

After 70 minutes Vale replaced the tiring Ward with the experienced Alex Drain, with Russell pushed into attack.

Barley a minute later Vale's attacking options were reduced further when the hard working McNaught had to go off injured to be replaced with David McBarron in a totally new strike formation.

Lesmahagow's only threat was coming from long throws and it was from one of these taken by Logan with just 12 minutes remaining that brought about the equaliser.

Vale failed to deal with the throw from the right and Kevin McDade forced the ball home from close range.

Vale almost regained the lead when Cavana found himself upfield and his cross just failed to be reached by the in-rushing Smith.

At the other end Vale conceded a soft free kick on the edge of the area and substitute Moore smashed a low shot through the defensive wall, but again Tiropoulos got down to parry the ball.

But in the 89th minute Vale grabbed a dramatic winning goal. Buchanan surged forward again and played in Drain, whose defence splitting pass rolled nicely into the path of fellow substitute David McBarron, and the youngster showed great composure to slide the ball beyond the advancing Thomson for his first goal for the top team.

Best for Vale were captain Alex Lacy, David McNaught, Kenny Wilson, Robert Tiropoulos and man of the match Jack Buchanan.

Vale: Tiropoulos; K.Wilson, Lacy, Cavana; Gourlay, Buchanan, Filshie, Russell (McKernan 89); Smith; Ward (Drain 70), McNaught (McBarron 71).

Unused sub: Carr.

This Saturday Vale will again attempt to travel to face promotion rivals Cumbernauld United at Guys Meadow, bus leaves Gilmour Street at 11.30.

Elsewhere, Vale's under-21 side got their second win in a row when they beat Kilmarnock Balmoral 2-1 at Millburn Park, with Mark Linning adding to an own goal. This week the boys are away to Blantyre in the Golden Goals Cup.

This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 16 Mar 10

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