The youngest strike force in Highland League football? Deveronvale attackers Ryan Park (18) and Jack Mitchell (17) score and impress in Banff club's defeat to Fraserburgh
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
DEVERONVALE’s teenage strike force gave Highland League title chasers Fraserburgh a scare in the first game of the new year.
Vale boss Craig Stewart took numerous positives from his team’s 4-2 loss at home to Broch on Saturday.
He saw his men battle back from 2-0 down inside the opening quarter to level, thanks to goals by young guns Jack Mitchell (17) and Ryan Park (18).
Vale started to believe they could win the game, but Fraserburgh dug deeper into their resources with a string of established players on their sub’s bench.
One of them, Aidan Sopel, added fresh impetus to the visiting side and another, striker Sean Butcher, added to his previous 12 goals this term with a late double to win the contest for the Buchan men.
Stewart believes his men can take pride from their performance and some confidence into this weekend’s league trip to Forres Mechanics - who sit just four points above them in the table.
“We changed to a totally different formation, mainly to try and frustrate Fraserburgh,” he said. “It wasn’t defensive, it was designed to give us something going forward and it was working. It meant giving more possession to Fraserburgh and they are good on the ball.
“Before they scored we had a couple of half chances on the counter attack. I was disappointed to go 1-0 down from a corner given the height and aerial presence we have in the team now.
“That put us on the back foot. You could easily crumble and then Ryan Cowie hit a great strike from 30 yards to make it 2-0.
“My only grumble was that no-one closed him down but it was partly down to the formation we were playing and we had only worked it in training during the week. I’m taking nothing away from a great strike and anyone who can score past Sean McIntosh from 30 yards is doing well. It was right in the top corner.
“It’s a vulnerable scoreline and we capitalised on a mistake from Bryan Hay and to be fair to Jack Mitchell he was all over it and closed down well and finished it really well. He’s only just turned 17 and he’s a great prospect who can play in different positions.
“That gave us a bit of a lifeline and we spoke about a few things at half time and they started the second half well and were the better team for 20-25 minutes and deservedly got the equaliser.
“There was a bit of slackness at the back from Fraserburgh but Ryan Park had it all to do and he knocked it round the goalie and finished it with a real bit of composure.
“Ryan and Jack played up front so that’s a 17 and 18 year old leading the line for you and both did really well.
“At no point were we happy with a point, we wanted to go for the three points and I was confident we could do that.
“But (Fraserburgh boss) Mark Cowie takes on Willie West, Sean Butcher and Aidan Sopel and that changed the game a bit.
“We had a corner and they broke up the park and We could have done better in pieces but you have to hold your hand up as well and say it was a well-worked goal and a good finish.
“We didn’t chuck in the towel, we kept going and we thought the fourth goal was maybe offside. A shot from outside the box, Sean made the save and Butcher got the rebound.
“Broch are a really good team on a good run and they are second in the league but we gave them a game which is pleasing. The result isn’t pleasing but we take a lot of positives.”
“We go to Forres on Saturday and we have to believe we can win the game if we take all of the positives from Saturday and play with confidence.”
Stewart handed a debut to centre back Kyle Dalling, on loan from Huntly. He said the former Aberdeen and Elgin stopper did well but needs more game time.
It was one in, one out for the Banff side last week with midfielder Horace Ormsby completing a move to Nairn County.
Stewart said the player disappeared back down to London for a spell late last year and was placed on the transfer list. “We wish him well, I’m sure he will do well at Nairn,” said the Vale boss.
Saturday’s game kicked off at 1pm due to one of Vale’s floodlights being damaged in recent storms. The club is exploring various funding opportunities.
