Vale of Leven Juniors suffer promotion setback

Nov 14 2008 by Laura McLachlan, Lennox Herald (main ed)

THE curse of scoring first stung Vale of Leven Juniors again on Saturday – as their race for promotion suffered another blow.

After the narrow Scottish win over Greenock last week Vale were forced into a couple of changes with Robert McKenzie and Gordon Martin ruled out, along with top scorer Mark Pawsey. Back into the starting Xl came Alan Filshie, Alex Drain and Craig Cavana.

Vale were stroking the ball around quickly and looked lively in the forward line from the start, with Meechan causing the most danger.

Clear-cut chances were scarce, with both teams realising that valuable points were up for grabs. Vale opened the scoring after 25mins when David Meechan headed home inside the six-yard line after McNaught got on the end of an inswinging free kick.

The home side came more into the game after the loss of the goal and only a timely interception denied home marksman Passmore.

It took until the 70th minute for Ashfield to draw level after Vale conceded a free kick in a dangerous position. Free kick expert Ali Martin then stepped up to curl a fantastic shot up and over the Vale wall, and over Matty Carr, and into the net.

Carr then denied Smith after 75 minutes when he pushed the striker’s shot to safety. But it wasn’t long before Ashfield’s Smith scored the all-important winning goal.

A long ball was played deep upfield and was headed out straight to Smith who smashed the ball low and hard from 20 yards. Carr looked to have it covered but the accuracy of the shot deceived the keeper as it crept by him and into the corner of the net.

Vale came back at the home side after this goal and were helped after 80 minutes when Fields’ Gault was shown his second yellow to reduce Vale’s opponents to ten men.

The Millburn men finally took control of the match as Ashfield defended resolutely. As the game approached full-time, Vale were awarded a free kick just outside the Ashfield box, only for Kevin Montague to smash his effort off the crossbar.

Mark Andrews was next to save Ashfield two minutes later as Mark Pawsey flicked the ball past the onrushing McGovern but his effort was bravely met by Andrews who nipped in to clear the ball off the line.

This looked to be the last chance of the match but the referee awarded another free kick to Vale deep into injury time. This time Montague’s effort appeared netbound but McGovern in the Ashfield goal produced a great save with his feet to deny Vale the point they deserved.

This week Vale are again away from home on league business when they travel to Craighead Park to meet Lesmahagow.

Vale: Carr, Cavana, Grant, Drain, Buchanan, Filshie, Lees, Russell, Gourlay, McNaught, Meechan.

Subs: Montague, Pawsey, Ward, Brown & Lacy.

VALE 21s had a fine 1-0 win over Drumchapel United in the League Cup with Alan McPherson on the scoresheet to take Peter McLean’s side through to meet Hillwood at the Argyll Park this Saturday.

The draw for the third round of the Scottish Citylink Scottish Junior Cup took place at the weekend and Vale face a local derby against Clydebank at Millburn on Saturday, November 29.