Saturday 23rd April 2005 @ Millburn Park
Vale of Leven 2-0 Greenock Juniors
League Match
Greenock travelled the short distance accross the water to visit Vale of Leven in what can only be described as a relegation battle. The home side looked from the start as though the meant business and went right for throat early on. Pacey Vale strike Kevin Montague was causing the Greenock rearguard problems early on as the struggled to cope with his speed. Montague was the man who created the opener when he dispossesed Foreman at the edge of the Greenock box. As he made his way into the area he crumbled under a challenge from Foreman and the referee pointed to the spot. Ex Greenock player Hugh Ward was the man given the responsibility and he made no mistake by placing calmly into Meechan's bottom left hand corner. Montague almost doubled the lead shortly after when his attempted lob on was well saved by Meechan. 18 minutes in and Greenock lost influential defender Ross McMillan when he went over his ankle and had to be replaced by McAllister. Greenock were not at the races and the Vale doubled there lead just after the half hour mark when Ward created some space for himself on the left and played in Montague. He made no mistake when one on one when Meechan placing low to his bottom right from 10 yards out.
Half-time 0 - 0
More changes were made by manager Casement at half time with Pat Mcilvogue being introduced for Foreman and the shape changed to a 3-4-3. Greenock started to look interested but despite alot of possesion they were struggling to create any chances against a well marshalled Vale defence. Graham Black came closest fro Greenock when he headed a Stewart Jack cross into the side netting midway through the half. Black should have got on the scoresheet with minutes remaining when a deep cross to the back post was headed back into the danger zone and found Black unmarked at the back post, but from four yards out he blasted high over the bar. Vale didn't threaten to extend there lead at any point in the second half but always looked comfortable at the back to take the much needed 3 points. Greenock now firmly rooted to the bottom of the table travel to promotion chasing Clydebank next needing serious improvement if they are to survive in this league
Teamlines:
Greenock Juniors: Meechan, McMillan(McAllister), Docherty, Power, Foreman(Mcilvogue), Dow, Lappin,Jack, Robertson, Black, Bowie(Monaghan)
Vale of Leven: Dennison, McBride, Lacy, Meechan, Hunter, Brown, King, Currie(McKenzie), Ward(Ruane), Smith, Montague
Goals:
Vale of Leven: Ward (4 mins), Montague (34 mins)
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