Hugh Hamills men showed tremendous character to claim all three points against a stubborn Gow side who looked to have stolen a point with a late equaliser.
Despite winning their last 4 games to make a push for promotion Vale didn’t have their troubles to seek going into this match as already without the unavailable Bowie, Berry and the injured Dougie Wilson, Lees and Parlane they were further hampered by the unavailability of top scorer Mark Pawsey and a late injury that ruled out keeper Matty Carr for the first time after 7,470 minutes of consecutive action.
Carrs hand injury allowed Robert Tiropoulos to make his debut second time around after his recent signing from Clydebank with veteran striker Hugh Ward replacing Pawsey from last weeks winning side at Maryhill.
Vales last win on the infamous Lesmahagow slope was on 23rd March 1996 when Alex Lacy made his debut as a goalscoring substitute in his sides 5-1 win. Making his 398th appearance for the Dark Blues the Vale captain was in outstanding form of late and went into the match determined to help his side to a record breaking 5th consecutive league clean sheet.
Shooting up the hill Vale had most of the early play but they got a fright after 16 minutes when home striker Black headed well wide from good position right in front of goal. Minutes later a couple of long throws had caused confusion in the Vale box and again Black headed wide. It clearly wasn’t going to be a good day for Black as he then did well to turn his marker in the box but sent his shot wide of the far post as Vale breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Gradually Vale regained their composure and Buchanans surge forward released Russell on the left and his deep cross was narrowly headed over by Brian Smith.
On the half hour mark Vale got their noses in front when a long kick out from Tiropoulos was gathered by DAVID McNAUGHT out on the left touchline and the striker ran into the box and from an impossible angle somehow managed to squeeze the ball into the net.
Five minutes later and Hugh Ward, just 4 goals short of John Filshies goalscoring record, almost doubled Vales lead but keeper Thomson did well to save his low effort from just inside the area.
As the half time whistle approached Gow almost grabbed an equaliser when they caught Vale on the break. Russell lost the ball as he tried to cross and after Filshie missed his tackle the home side surged forward and Tiropoulos made a great savew diving to his right to push Logans shot around the post.
Half time Lesmahagow 0 Vale 1
10 minutes into the second half and David McNaught set up Russell but the Vale man fired over from good position as Vale looked to increase their lead. After 70 minutes Vale replaced the tiring Ward with the experienced Alex Drain with Russell pushed into attack and barley 60 seconds later Vales attacking options were reduced further when the hard working McNaught had to go off injured to be replaced with David McBarron in a totally new strike formation. Russell then had a great chance to finish the match but Thomson made a great save at his near post to deny Vale.
Lesmahagows only threat was coming from long throws and it was from one of these taken by Logan with just 12 minutes remaining that brought about the equliser. Vale failed to deal with the throw from the right and Kevin McDade forced the ball home from close range.
Vale almost regained the lead when Cavana found himself upfield and his cross just failed to be reached by the inrushing Smith. At the other end Vale conceded a soft free kick on the edge of the area and substitute Moore smashed a low shot through the defensive wall but again Tiropoulos got down to parry the ball and Logan following up could only put the ball into the side netting.
In the 89th minute Vale grabbed a dramatic winning goal. Buchanan surged forward again and played in Drain whose defence splitting pass rolled nicely into the path of fellow substitute DAVID McBARRON and the youngster showed great composure to slide the ball beyond the advancing Thomson into the net for his first goal for the first team.
Best for Vale were captain Alex Lacy, David McNaught, Kenny Wilson, Robert Tiropoulos and man of the match Jack Buchanan.
This Saturday Vale will again attempt to travel to face promotion rivals Cumbernauld United at Guys Meadow, bus leaves Gilmour Street at 11.30. Vale will be hoping that they can get the inform McNaught fit to teake his place in attack and hopefully Pawsey, Berry and Bowie will all be back from work commitments.
Vales under 21 side got their 2nd win in a row when they beat Kilmarnock Balmoral 2-1 at the Millburn with Mark Linning adding to an own goal. This week the boys are away to Blantyre in the Golden Goals Cup. |
