Vale of Leven boss Brian Brown hailed Saturday’s emphatic 5-0 win away to St Anthony’s as his side’s best performance of the season.

On the back of big wins over Annbank United and Forth Wanders, Vale made the trip to Govan to take on the Ants with Lewis King firing the visitors ahead 15 minutes in.

Antony Pilkington added the second on 35 minutes before Scott Arthur made it three just before the interval with his sixth goal of the season.

David McNaught added the fourth with 10 minutes remaining before Arthur bagged his second of the afternoon to round it off.

“I’m delighted with how we’ve started the season and with that match at the weekend in particular,” Brown said. “The boys have been flying recently and played exceptionally well on Saturday.

“That’s the first time we’ve played well over the full 90 minutes. We’ve been a wee bit patchy in the first six matches but that one was ideal from the first to the final whistle.

“That was easily our best performance of the season so far and it was certainly the most complete display. Our defence were incredible with another good clean sheet and we got five really good goals up the other end which is pleasing.”

Brown was also quick to single out Arthur for praise after the striker netted his seventh goal of the season.

The gaffer said: “That’s Scott on seven goals from seven league matches now which is great. That is exactly the kind of impact we wanted from him when we brought him back in the summer.

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“His hat-trick a couple of weeks ago, two last weekend and now two at the weekend suggests he has found his shooting boots - that’s what we’re looking for and long may it continue.”

With six wins and one draw from their opening seven matches, Vale currently sit top of the West Region League Two table. And, with 26 goals so far this season, Brown’s side have been at their free-scoring best while only letting in four up the other end - a stat that particularly pleases the gaffer.

He continued: “It’s not just the wins we’re getting on the board, it’s the manner of them.

“We’ve now scored 26 goals in seven while conceding just four. We scored a lot last season but we were conceding a lot of needless goals at the same time, so the defensive side of things has really improved and is pleasing.

“The boys at the back and the keeper have done really well but it’s been a real team effort so far. They’re all working hard to keep this going.”

Vale will be looking to build on their excellent start to the season this weekend as they play host to Lugar Boswell Thistle at the Millburn with Brown adding: “Every team is capable of winning on their day in the this division.

“Lugar haven’t started well but they haven’t suffered any heavy defeats either and they’ve scored a few. It will be a difficult one but it’s at the Millburn so we’re hoping for another win.”

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