Vale too strong for Saturday's late arrivals

Dave Ryce • Published 6 Aug 2010 09:30 0 Comments

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Vale of Leithen 3 v 0 Shields United

VALE saw off the challenge of their Northern Alliance opponents on Saturday to keep their unbeaten pre-season record intact.

The English side's preparations for the match were hampered after running into heavy traffic during their journey north, meaning that they arrived at Victoria Park only shortly before the match was originally due to start.

Kick-off was then delayed to allow them a brief warm up.

This was perhaps partly to blame as their defence was caught napping twice in the opening fifteen minutes to allow Vale to establish a quick two-goal lead.

In the seventh minute, Shields right back Michael Pittuck was caught all at sea as a Kerr Dodds ball sent Graeme Cole off down the left flank. His ball into the box found Scott Moffat and Vale's in-form striker turned and sent a shot low into the corner of the net.

Shields defender Ryan Shave was penalised for a foul on Moffat on the quarter hour mark, and when Jamie Lauder swung a free kick into the area, Dodds arrived unchallenged at the back post to volley home Vale's second.

The same two players combined shortly afterwards when Lauder threaded a defence splitting pass through to Dodds, but this time his attempt brought a fantastic save out of Shaun Newbrook, who dived spectacularly to pluck the net-bound ball out of the air.

An injury doubt before the match, keeper Newbrook then produced two outstanding saves in quick succession to deny John Hall and Dodds again.

Having made changes at half-time, Vale suffered blows as Dodds limped out of the action and substitute Steve Radzynski suffered a hand injury that ended his involvement for the afternoon.

Vale found themselves much more restricted in the second-half by a hard-working Shields side, who almost pulled a goal back as a corner broke to Tijan Kah, but his powerful shot was beaten away by Darren Walker.

However, Vale had the last word three minutes from the end as a Lauder cross was met by Gavin Tainsh, who superbly guided a header beyond Newbrook's reach.

Vale of Leithen: D. Walker; G. Tainsh, J. Lauder, C. Beaton, John Hall, P. Greenhill, G. Cole, D. Gillon, S. Moffat, K. Dodds, P.Korniek. Subs: A. Milligan, S. Radzynski, A. Brunton, Jamie Hall, R.Stewart, P. Lee.

Shields United: S. Newbrook; M. Pittuck, A. Bell, R. Shave, J. Gage, M. Davies, T. Kah, A. Kah, K. Yorston, A. Guerin, D. Mossa. Subs: W.Gage, D. Conroy, A. Chapman, J. Jull, G. Newbrook, A. Abladay.

This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 06 Aug 10

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