Vale scratch heads as Ants make a point

0 - 0 • Published 27 Jan 2009 12:30

Vale of Leven 1 Saint Anthony's 1

VALE JUNIORS were left wondering how on earth they failed to take all three points from this bottom of the table clash at Millburn on Saturday.

A combination of poor finishing, the thickness of the goalposts and some rank rotten refereeing were all contributory factors.

In an effort to get back to winning ways, Vale boss Hugh Hamill rang the changes with club captain Alex Lacy starting his first match of the season along with, Mark Pawsey, Alan Brown and Alex Drain.

Vale took the lead after just five minutes when Craig Cavana played the ball down the right and when Hugh Ward played the ball across goal, top scorer Pawsey was on hand to net from six yards.

Alan Gourlay almost doubled the lead, but his header rebounded back off the post.

And right on the stroke of half-time, Vale survived a scare when Ants striker Cummings hit the bar from point-blank range.

Ants drew level after 57 minutes when they were awarded a soft free kick out on the right.

When the ball was floated in, Vale keeper Carr was clattered in mid air with the ball falling kindly for striker Cummings to fire low into the net while the referee dismissed Vale"s claims for a free kick.

Vale responded with a Gourlay effort which was pushed onto the post by keeper Turner and then the keeper was helpless as a long range strike from Allan Lees crashed off the crossbar.

In the final minutes, Vale were denied a stonewall penalty when an Ants defender scooped the ball off the goal line as he lay on the ground with the referee claiming it was accidental - how he worked that one out is beyond belief.

Vale will be disappointed, but they can take many positives from the level of performance and commitment on display.

Vale: Carr, Cavana, Lacy, Drain, Buchanan, Brown, Lees, Russell (Martin), Ward (Wilson), Gourlay, Pawsey (McNaught). Unused Subs: McKenzie and Grant.

 This week Vale face a difficult away fixture against Maryhill at Lochburn.

Vales U21s drew their derby against Dumbarton Accies 2-2 with goals coming from Alan McPherson and captain Gary McDevitt.

This week they are away to East Kilbride.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 27 Jan 09

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