Deveronvale 1 Keith 0: Vale boss Craig Stewart 'delighted' with opening day win but reveals Dane Ballard injury blow
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MANAGER Craig Stewart was “delighted” after his Deveronvale side started their Highland League campaign with three important points on Saturday.
Horace Ormsby grabbed the only goal as Vale defeated Keith 1-0 at Princess Royal Park.
“I’m delighted,” Stewart said. “In the first half we played really well and the only disappointment was the fact we weren’t two or three up at half-time. There is always a worry that will come back and bite you. Last season it would have.
“Keith came out and put us under pressure without threatening the goal, but we needed to show the dirty side of the game, it wasn’t pretty but we dug in and that was important. Last season we would have drawn or even lost.
“There are things to improve on, we could have kept possession better in the second half, but we dug in and defensively we were pretty solid.
“I’m really impressed with the attitude. The guys applied themselves brilliantly and worked hard for the three points.
“It was really good to get going with a win. It’s important to get points on the board early with a young squad as the longer you go without a win the more the pressure adds.”
Goal scorer Ormsby – who was subject of rumours linking him with a move away from Princess Royal Park – was again a stand-out for Vale.
Stewart is pleased that the midfielder has opted to stay with the club, adding that his importance to the side has only heightened after an unfortunate injury picked up by striker Dane Ballard.
Ballard hobbled off in pre-season against Colony Park, with scans now showing that he has again ruptured his ACL and is very likely to miss the entirety of the 2023-24.
“Horace will be really important for us,” Stewart said.
“He was outstanding and unplayable at times on Saturday. He should have had a second goal but the goal he scored was well-worked and a great finish from the edge of the box.
“Horace will hopefully get his head down now. There has been speculation about a move, but he’s delighted he has made the decision to stay so hopefully he can go on and add to his stats with more goals and assists.
“Everybody is important to the squad but, on his day, Horace is a match-winner.
“He will be even more important with Dane Ballard out for the season, which is a massive blow.
“I’m absolutely gutted for Dane – it’s a massive blow for him, first and foremost, and for the club.
“At the minute the club are trying to support him and see where we go next.
“Realistically he will be out for the season. It’s a big blow at his stage in his playing days. We need to replace 20 goals a season and that won’t be easy to do.”
