Vale in danger zone
Published 3 Mar 2011 12:00
VALE slumped to a fifth consecutive league defeat with this miserable home performance that saw them drop to third bottom of the table and in danger of relegation.
Boss Hugh Hamill recalled suspension free Mark Bowie and Alan Filshie along with Alan Gourlay and new signing from Neilston Andrew Bonner. Dropping out were Berry, Drain, Pawsey and Russell.
Slack play by new signing Bonner after just four minutes almost gifted the visitors an opening goal but Matty Carr spared his blushes with a good block with his legs.
Play then proceeded to the other end and McNaught burst forward but was thwarted by a good Wilson stop at his near post.
After 15 minutes Alan Filshie made a good run into the box and from his low cut back Bowie just failed to connect and the chance was lost.
Burgh took the lead after 20 minutes as Sherry was allowed to run unchallenged at the Vale defence and from his pass Chris Loughlin stabbed the ball into the net.
Vale should have equalised right on the stroke of half time when Buchanan made a great run and from Bowies pass McNaught looked odds on to score but from close range he hit the keeper with the ball and from the resultant corner Wilson powered a header marginally over.
Having looked close to levelling Vale had the stuffing knocked out of them when Burgh scored twice in the opening five minutes of the second half.
After 48 minutes striker Steven Fitzpatrick waltzed around three half-hearted challenges before firing a low shot past Carr.
Three minutes later and it was all over for the home side when Carr hurried a clearance and when the ball was returned Loughlin drove a 20-yard shot into the net.
The right that saw Ryan McCallum convert the cross and secure Roses trip to Ardrossan this week.
That ended the scoring with Vale never at any time looking like getting a consolation goal as they lacked fight and looked well beaten.
This week Vale are again at home with Port Glasgow visiting on league duty.
Vale: Carr, Wilson, Lacy, Bonner (Drain 65), Gourlay, Brown, Buchanan, Filshie (Pawsey 61), Crowhurst (Russell 65), Bowie, McNaught. Unused subs: Grindlay, Ward, McKenzie.
This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 01 Mar 11
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