’Vale home in on league high-flyers
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A GOAL in the early part of each half, in their match against Strathspey Thistle, was enough to move Deveronvale up to third in the Highland League table – two points off leaders and next week’s opponents Wick Academy
Scott Henry and Grant Noble were the names on the score sheet in a fairly pedestrian performance from the Banffers – at Princess Royal Park – who were without a few regulars including Graeme Watt, Chris Blackhall and captain Scott Fraser.
New signing from Lossiemouth, Colin Charlesworth, started on the bench for his father’s side as ’Vale got back to league business following their Scottish Cup exploits last weekend.
Henry, captaining the home side in the absence of the injured Fraser, had the first opportunity of the game, but could not keep his header down off Magnus Barclay’s flag kick from the right.
The buzzing start by the home side, however, did see them take the lead with seven minutes on the clock.
Barclay picked up the ball from a partially cleared corner and swung it to the back post, where Henry planted a firm header into the back of the net.
’Vale might have made it two moments later, when Graeme Rodger picked up the ball and made good ground into the Thistle penalty area, but his weak strike was saved by the visiting goalie.
Henry almost netted once more as the barrage continued on the Speysiders goal, but a last-ditch headed clearance denied the home skipper a fine goal.
Craig Morrison, recalled to the Banffers strike-force in place of Kris Duncan, saw his near-post header cleared to safety at the back post, while John Urquhart, also back in the ’Vale team, pulled the trigger from distance but failed to work the Thistle keeper.
On the stroke of half-time, a slip by Craig Cowie led to an opening for the visitors but a super stop from McConnachie kept Deveronvale’s lead intact at the break as the keeper threw himself to his left to parry Allen MacKenzie’s curling effort to safety.
The homesters made the perfect start to the second period when they doubled their advantage.
A patient build-up from Charlesworth’s side saw Barclay pick out Noble. His shot then crept into Dudgeon’s net.
The Banffers had the ball in the net once more when Morrison curled the ball into the far corner, but the referee inexplicably pulled the game back for a free-kick to the home side which was wasted.
A strong run into the ’Vale box from Allen MacKenzie saw the number 10 force another decent stop from McConnachie as the visitors showed that they were still in it.
A double change saw Duncan replace Morrison and Charlesworth come on for his debut in place of Connor Rennie.
Henry headed a Barclay corner narrowly wide, while at the New Road end Gavin Chisholm should have pulled one back, but failed to beat the Vale number one as the visitors took some encouragement from a double substitution of their own.
Strathspey had a further three attempts which all worked McConnachie but the keeper was not in the mood to be beaten.
At the other end, Noble was sent through one-on-one but failed to get the better of the keeper as his low attempt cannoned off the legs of Dudgeon for a fruitless corner
In the dying seconds, Duncan came within inches of scoring when an inviting low ball which was sent across the goal by Barclay.
The sponsor’s man-of-match was awarded to Graeme Rodger.
Deveronvale: McConnachie, Rae, Adams, Henry, Urquhart, Cowie, Rennie (Charlesworth 62), Rodger (Mitchell 79), Morrison (Duncan 68), Noble, Barclay.
Subs not used: Meldrum, P. Watt.
