Primrose celebrate as Vale squander derby chances

Oct 3 2008 by Stephen Lowson, Strathearn Herald

Vale Of Earn 0 Auchterarder Primrose1

VALE played host to Auchterarder for their first derby match of the season and it was the visitors who emerged with full points after a hard fought match.

The game was played in front of a healthy crowd and Vale started the better, putting pressure on the visitors from the off, largely due to midfielders Dawson, Cruickshanks, Smith and Brock.

The first real chance of the match fell to Cairn Smith, who made a good run beyond the visitors’ back four to collect a ball from Brock but he couldn't get his shot on target from 15 yards.

A few minutes later Vale had a shout for a penalty as Revie seemed to be brought down running between two defenders after a good ball from Dawson but the ref waved play on.

Auchterarder were starting to find their feet by this time and managed to force a couple of corners, but for the most part Vale where in control of the match.

Vale’s next chance came from a free kick after some good hold up play from Peter Reilly, using his strength to shield the ball from two defenders.

Gary Ritchie stepped up and curled a great ball on to the head of Ross Brock, whoblew the chance by heading wide.

Worse was to come when Reilly set Revie free in the box. He rounded the keeper but had no angle to slot home, so played a great return ball to Reilly six yards out, whosomehow couldn’t get a clean strike and another chance was lost.

Auchterarder made the breakthrough on the half hour when a corner from Cameron was met by Watson, who powered home a header at the near post.

The second 45 started with Vale having most of the possession but they were unableto create any clean cut chances, and anything they did manufacture was closed down quickly by sharp defending.

Vale kept plugging away and the next chance fellto David Sinclair, whoblasted over from sevenyards after a good cross from Revie.

As Vale continued to press for the equaliser, both Revie and Reilly were only inches away from a Sinclair cross from a free kick.

The chances were coming thick and fast now for Vale and they could have perhaps taken something from the game if it hadn’t been for some great last ditch tackling from Greame Walker and a fine save from Yurdakol after a downward header from Revie.

Vale just didn't have any luck in front of goal and, as time ran out, paid the price for the slack marking that led to Auchterarder’s goal – the visitors’ only shot at goal in 90 minutes.

Vale of Earn can feel more than slightly aggrieved that they failed to take something from a game they dominated from start to finish, but credit to Auchterarder, who went into the game missing several key players.

This Saturday Vale are at home against Wolfhill with a 1.30pm kick off, and Auchterarder are also at home to Methven.