Published: Friday, 18th April, 2008 12:00
Early Devlin strike keeps Peebles on course
By David Knox at Victoria Park
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Ryan McManus blasts his way through challenges from Gavin Tainsh and Kevin Robertson.
Pic by: John Robertson
Vale of Leithen 0 v Peebles 1
PEEBLES are yet again poised for promotion following a pulsating derby at Innerleithen this week.
An early Paul Devlin strike was all that separated the archrivals on Tuesday.
But the close-range 12th minute strike ends Vale’s slim hopes of a top two finish, and propels the early pace setters back into the title frame.
Neither club could complain about the effort and commitment shown by any of their players on Tuesday.
While Peebles dominated the opening half hour with some fluent football, the home side battled back well to create the best chances in the second half.
It was, as expected, a real hammer and tongs contest with few, if any, tackles shirked.
The only surprise was that referee Andy Rooney only produced six yellow cards.
Peebles coach Stuart Robertson, who was returning to Victoria Park for the first time since his departure as manager last year, believed his players deserved the win.
He told the Peeblesshire News: “There were two teams out there fighting for everything.
“That is the best I’ve seen us start since I came to the club and I thought we were the better team for most of the match. We had to change things around a bit as Vale came at us, but I thought we coped really well.”
Vale’s valiant fightback may have won them admirers but it didn’t herald any goals or points.
And co-manager Lyndsay Rathie admitted his promotion chances were over. He said: “We have a great bunch of lads at the club who never know when they are beaten – they fought really hard and deserved something from the game.
“That was our last chance of promotion and it’s gone.”
Battle lines were drawn inside the first minute as Gavin Tainsh and Colin Smith squared up to each other inside the centre-circle.
Smith was booked five minutes later for leading with his elbow as challenges flew in from all directions.
But it was Peebles who looked the most composed with Michael Osbourne, Mark Brown and Aaron Paterson all linking well to open up Vale on the left flank.
The goal arrived on 12 minutes after Kerr Dodds rifled in a low shot from 25 yards and Devlin reacted quickest to pounce on Mark Wilson’s parry.
Ross McManus prevented a second a few minutes later when he made a fantastic recovery tackle in front of goal to prevent Glen Harley hitting the target.
And Devlin almost grabbed a second on 20 minutes when his speculative shot from the angle had to be headed off the line by McManus.
A nervous looking Vale struggled to find their feet in the opening half hour with Osbourne and Dodds controlling midfield play.
But the home side did have two late chances on the stroke of half time. Aaron Somerville’s delicate chip over the defence fell for Ron Fleming who couldn’t muster enough power on his shot to trouble Darren Walker.
And in stoppage time Somerville attempted a spectacular volley from 20 yards out that whistled past the post.
The introduction of Greig Shortreed after the break turned the tie. The pacey striker became a constant thorn in the side of the Peebles defence.
His cross to Smith, which was mis-hit wide, almost led to an equalizer on 48 minutes.
And moments later he linked well with Somerville to tee up Ryan McManus, who also sliced his shot just wide.
Peebles remained dangerous and Wilson did well to smother a Devlin shot on the hour.
Vale’s best opportunity of the game came on 65 minutes. A neat one-two between Shortreed and Somerville opened up the visitors but the substitute’s attempted chip was brilliantly saved by Walker and Ray Fleming blasted the rebound over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
It was end-to-end football in the final twenty minutes with Vale throwing caution to the wind – but Peebles held firm to collect the points.
Vale of Leithen. M Wilson, R Alexander (S Johnston 66), Ross McManus, C Robertson, C Forsyth, Ron Fleming, C Smith, Ray Fleming, M McKale (G Shortreed 46), A Somerville (R Clarke 87) & Ryan McManus.
Peebles. D Walker, G Tainsh, A Paterson, P Greenhill, K Robertson, K Dodds, A Martin (G Thom 62), M Osbourne, G Harley (A Szcezesniak 68), P Devlin & M Brown (P Russell 85).
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