Deveronvale end season with defeat but optimism remains
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
DEVERONVALE ended their season with a 3-2 defeat at Princess Royal Park against Nairn County on Saturday.
Vale took the lead within one minute through a Dane Ballard opener but couldn’t hold on as Conor Gethins swept in an equaliser less than five minutes later.
County player-manager Steven Mackay put his side ahead 10 minutes later with a cool lobbed finish.
The visitors made it 3-1 on 70 minutes when Mackay doubled up to head home what looked to be the clincher.
However, a Ballard penalty one minute later brought the hosts back to within one with over 15 minutes remaining.
But Craig Stewart’s side failed to find the equaliser their performance perhaps deserved and ended the Highland League season with a defeat.
“There wasn’t much in it,” Stewart said.
“Over the piece I think Nairn just edged it.
“The experienced players they have got in their team were probably the difference. Ross Tokely at the back and Steven Mackay up front. They were a real handful to be honest. I think that was the difference.
“Going up 1-0 and then going in at half time 2-1 down was disappointing. We just gave them too much space and too much time to pass the ball.
“At 3-2 we went for it. We have given it our all but we’ve just come up short.”
Despite Saturday’s defeat condemning Vale to a 17th place finish, Stewart insists there are positives for his young side to take from the season.
“I think at the start of the season we’ve had to start again basically,” Stewart said.
“We lost a number of players at the tail-end of last season and halfway through and we’ve had a lot of injuries.
“We’ve brought in a few of the under-18s into the squad and a couple of new players coming in as well so it’s been a right reshuffle.
“There’s been progress this season though. Despite some of the results, I think the performances have been a lot better.
“It’s a very young team that is only going to get better with experience so I’m pretty satisfied with how it’s gone.”
There is further optimism for Vale with much of this season’s young squad having signed up to two and three-year deals, while Stewart says there are only “one or two” with just one year left to run on their contracts.
“We are already looking forward to pre-season,” Stewart added.
“The whole squad are signed for next year and I think if we can add one or two in the right areas then we’ll be stronger again.
“There has been progress and football people will know that. They’ll see what we’re trying to do and they’ll get the club’s position in terms of finances.
“Unfortunately we’re not in a position to compete with the teams higher up when it comes to that. However, if we can keep this young group together then we can compete in other ways.”
