St John’s are put to the sword at Market Park
Vale of Earn kicked-off 2017 in fine style, securing three points against St Johns following a 3-2 win.
The victory was revenge of sorts as the Perth outfit defeated the Market Park men earlier in the campaign by the same scoreline.
It was a strong looking line up that started for the Vale, with a good mixture of youth and experience, as competition for places is fierce at the moment.
The home side were on top early on and there were chances for both Ross Brock and Jordan Crerar.
At the other end, keeper Knox had to be alert to keep the visitors at bay.
The deadlock was broken on the half hour mark when good play between Dawson and Webster saw the latter play the ball across goal to Crerar, who superbly slotted the ball past the keeper and into the far corner.
The hosts got their two-goal cushion before half-time when Brown’s through ball sent young Webster through on goal.
He used his pace to outstrip the St John’s backline before slotting under the keeper.
Two goals down at the break, St John’s were always going to come back into things and came out fighting for the second half.
A soft penalty was easily converted by their striker
With the Vale looking wobbly with the slender one- goal advantage, they put on new signing Scott Macaulay and his introduction had an instant impact.
A neat one-two between him and Myles saw the big forward dig out a great cross to the back post which was headed down by Webster to the feet of striker Ross Brock, who volleyed the ball high into the net.
St John’s were soon on the front foot again and a slip at the back allowed the striker to race in on goal and grab his second of the game.
Vale had keeper Knox to thank for two excellent saves, the first a good block with his legs and the second right at the death which saw him produce a one-handed stop to deny the St John’s striker and earn a vital three points for the home side.
Vale: Knox, Myles, Jewell, Cassidy, Miller, Klawakowski, Brown, Dawson, Webster, Crerar and Brock.
Subs: Smith, Gunn, Gillies, Taylor and Macaulay.
Saturday’s game is a local derby against Auchterarder Primrose in the league. Kick-off is 2pm at Market Park. Other local amateur football results for Saturday, January 7, were as follows:
Division One (sponsored by A&B Taxis) - Ballinluig 2, Auchterarder Primrose 3. Division Three (sponsored by MKM Perth) - Strathearn Grove 1, Letham CC 4. Fixtures for this Saturday are as follows: Division Three - Moncrieff v Strathearn Grove.