COMEBACK KINGS
Stirring second half fightback sees Vale put four past league leaders
A second half fightback saw Vale of Earn get the better of league leaders Luncarty 4-2 on Saturday.
It was a performance defined by great fighting spirit from the Crieff side who made the trip for the Division One tie knowing a good showing would be required to get the better of a side with a 100 per cent record so far this season.
Vale’s side featured a few players carrying injuries but the men from Market Park started strongly in what was an evenly- matched opening period to the game.
Good chances were hard to come by and keeper Dave McKay had to make a smart save down to his right to keep the home side out.
Vale fell behind on the half hour mark when they allowed their man a free header from a corner and the ball was bundled in.
Euan Carter almost got the visitors back on level terms but his header from an Aaron Dawson corner went agonisingly wide.
Vale came out for the second half fired up but they quickly fell two behind courtesy of an own goal.
Undeterred by this setback, the Crieff lads rolled up their sleeves and went in search of an unlikely comeback inspired by captain for the day Dawson, who set the tone for the charge on the home goal.
Vale pulled a goal back when a Dawson corner found Pete Reilly in the box.
Reilly knocked the ball to Carter who prodded the ball over the line.
It was very much game on at this stage now and Kros Brown and Dawson were causing all sorts of bother down the right-hand side of the pitch.
And it was no surprise when Brown, joined by his brother Kai, set up the equaliser for Reilly, who held off his marker before slamming the ball into the top corner.
Vale’s tails were up and Kros Brown was creating openings at every opportunity down the right flank in what was a torrid period for the Luncarty full-back.
With just a few minutes of normal time remaining the comeback was complete when Reilly dug deep to win the ball in midfield before finding Kros Brown, who played a through ball to substitute Jordan Crerar.
The Comrie lad showed excellent bravery to beat the keeper with a tidy finish to spark wild celebrations on the away sidelines.
The game was put to bed two minutes into stoppage when keeper McKay kicked the ball long up the park and it found its way to Josh Roberts, who beat the offside trap before brilliantly lobbing the keeper from 25 yards out.
Vale will be hoping to take their good form into Saturday’s away game against Breadalbane.
Scottish Amateur Cup round one results from Friday, September 3 - Charlie Accies 2 Burrelton Rovers 3, Finavon 4 Vale of Atholl 0. Saturday, September 4 - Letham Colts 0 Whitfield Tavern 8, Stanley 3 Wellbank 2, Breadalbane 8 Wolfhill 1, Jeanfield Swifts 1 DUSC 3, Auchterarder Primrose 1 Kirrie Thistle 2, Kinrossie Caledonian 2 Riverside CSC 4, Fair City 8 Rattray 4, Kettins 2 Arbroath Harp 2 . (Kettins win 4-3 on penalties).