Ross on target as Vale slump in North Cup
Determined home effort
Vale of Earn were knocked out of the North of Tay Cup at the third round stage following a 2- 1 home defeat by Hilltown Hotspurs on Saturday. The hosts once again had to shuffle their pack in terms of selection, meaning the line-up was significantly different to the one which took to the field the previous week. The Market Park men found it hard to settle early on and as a result the visitors from Dundee had the better of the early exchanges. It was no surprise that Vale found themselves 2-0 down by the time the referee blew the half-time whistle.
A few harsh words were exchanged in a bid to rally the Vale troops at half-time.
And, seemingly with nothing to lose, the pep talk did the trick as the Crieff lads came out fighting.
A Ross Brock free-kick reduced the deficit on the hour mark and Vale nearly equalised when Keir Cramb raced clear on goal, only to see his shot well saved by the Hilltown keeper.
As Vale pushed forward this left them exposed at the back and the away side were awarded a late penalty which was brilliantly saved by keeper Knox.
In the end they could not force extra time but can be proud of the spirited showing in the second half.
Vale: Knox, Myles, G Brock, Cassidy, Miller, Brown, Taylor, Webster, Smith, R Brock and Crerar. Subs: Cramb, Gillies, MacPhee, Gunn and Cooper.
The traditional Old Vale v Young Vale fixture takes place on December 27 at Market Park.
The club has also arranged a friendly with Dunblane Thistle on January 4 at the University of Stirling.
Strathearn Grove lost 2- 1 at home to Kettins in Division Three on Saturday.
Competitive amateur action resumes on January 7.