Greenock Telegraph | Sport | Vale take their chances to dump Port

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 7th August, 2008 12:00

Vale take their chances to dump Port

By By Gary Pews

VALE OF LEVEN 3

Port Glasgow’s season got off to a disappointing start last night in the League Cup at a rain-lashed Millburn Park in Alexandria.

Goals from former Dumbarton player David McNaught and Kevin Montague put Vale of Leven 2-0 up at the interval and, although Andy Monaghan pulled one back for the Port early in the second half, substitute Mark Pawsey put the issue beyond doubt with the Vale’s third late on.

With the bulk of the possession, and the chances, it was astonishing that the Port came away empty-handed. McNaught’s opener in 30 minutes was more of a chipped cross than a shot, but somehow deceived the trialist goalkeeper, in for the suspended Sean Graham. And the Vale’s second just before the break came when Montague looked to be well offside in picking up a clear-out from hand from goalkeeper Matt Carr.

With new signings Gary Loughran from Greenock and recent Clydebank player Ged Hoey showing up well, Brain Heron’s men got the early second half goal their play deserved, with Monaghan cooly slotting home from just inside the box.

But as the Port pressed for the equaliser they were left exposed at the back and, when Paul Coyle lost possession on the half-way line, Montague was allowed to run through unchallenged to cross for Pawsey to net the Vale’s third and there was no way back for the local team.

Heron felt his team were unlucky to lose but was generous in defeat. He said: ‘’I wouldn’t say it was against the run of play but in terms of chances created, I feel we should have won the game. But that’s not to take anything away from Vale of Leven. They did what they had to do, took their chances, and at the end won 3-1, so I can’t complain.’’

Heron will now have to lift his players for the big Inverclyde derby against Greenock at Ravenscraig on Saturday.

Port Glasgow: Trialist, A. Banks, Coyle, Walton, Walker, Jack (S.Banks 54), Hoey, Taylor (Beckley 72), Monaghan, Loughran, Best (Nugent 54). Subs not used: Flynn, McLeod.

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