Published: Friday, 8th December, 2006 11:13
Vale almost throw it away again
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After losing a lead against Gala Fairydean a fortnight ago and giving up a two goal cushion to Kelso three weeks before that, Vale came close to surrendering a three goal lead last Saturday.
Tynecastle may still be without a league win, but they’re a talented young side who will be a force to be reckoned with if they can ever tighten up defensively.
Both sets of players though, deserve credit for producing an entertaining ninety minutes of football in difficult overhead and underfoot conditions.
Kicking with the wind at their backs, Vale took the lead after eight minutes as Ronald Fleming found Mike MacKale in the area and the striker found the target for the third time in as many matches with a superb strike.
Vale doubled their lead on the quarter-hour mark. Another Fleming cross was caught by the swirling wind and eluded the grasp of Tynecastle keeper Murray Scott. The ball dipped onto the back post and hit off the unfortunate keeper’s back into the net.
There was almost an own goal at the other end, as Ross Allum whipped in a low ball that bounced off the boot of defender John Sanderson, but Vale keeper Ross Combe pulled off a stunning point-blank save to keep his goal intact.
Seven minutes from half time, Vale pulled further ahead when Craig Dickson headed home a Mark Brown cross.
Given their contribution to the match, 3-0 was a little harsh on Tynecastle, but they were handed a lifeline just three minutes into the second half as Sanderson brought down Robert Nisbet and Gavin Robertson dispatched the resultant penalty.
The leeway was further reduced in the 56th minute, as an Allum cross ran through to Steven McKenzie, who drilled the ball into the net through a crowd of players.
Confidence was surging through the Tynecastle side, and Vale had some defending to do on a pitch that was getting heavier by the minute. But Scott Johnston, making a welcome return after a long lay-off due to injury, was instrumental in shoring up the midfield and ensuring that, for all their pressure, Tynecastle managed few attempts on goal.
Vale of Leithen: R. Combe; Ron Fleming, G. Whitehead, J. Taylor (S. Johnston 51), D. Combe, J. Sanderson, G. McBeth (L. Montgomery 78), R. Clark, M. MacKale (M. Malone 71), C. Dickson and M. Brown.
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