Cup tie win for Vale
Gaffer’s praise for side after reaching final 16
Vale of Earn booked a place in the last 16 of the North of Tay Cup with a 2-0 away win over Cairdy Thistle.
Saturday’s solid showing in Dundee was mainly the result of the strong backbone provided by visiting defenders Davie Sinclair, Ross Nixon and Jack Simpson.
The trio’s commanding display limited the hosts to very few chances on their own patch.
Vale were constantly looking to threaten going forward and knew they had enough pace in their ranks to pose problems.
The visitors had the better chances in a first half which ended without the scoreline being troubled.
The main focus in the second half was on grabbing a goal to break the deadlock and this duly arrived in the 55th minute.
Some good work down the left eventually saw Jake Webster cut the ball back to Aaron Dawson, who slotted the ball home from 12 yards.
Cairdy attempted to get themselves back into the match and used their passing game to good effect as Vale came under pressure.
But the men from Market Park stood firm and ended up hitting the hosts on the break to increase their advantage.
Ross Nixon played a great ball down the right to midfield maestro Brian Finlay, who then squared the ball to Webster.
Webster showed good composure to fire home and put some gloss on the scoreline on an afternoon which saw the game fizzle out in the last 15 minutes.
Player- boss Garry Brock said: “This is the first time we have reached the last 16 since we lifted the trophy over 10 years ago, so well done to all the boys who made themselves available for the game.
“The most impressive performers were old heads Ross Nixon and Brian Finlay.”
Vale: G Brock, Sinclair, Nixon, Simpson, Cramb, F Corbett, Jack, Finlay, R Corbett, Dawson and Webster. Subs: A Smith and R Brock.
• The annual Old Vale v Young Vale match takes place at Strathearn Community Campus from noon on Saturday, December 28.