We were looking forward to the game against Crichton. We had beaten them earlier in the season and we hoped we could repeat the result at New Abbey. We started the 1st half quite brightly and went in front in the 20th minute. We won a corner on the left and player/manager Stenton took the kick. His kick went over everyone beat the keeper and landed in the net to give us the lead. However this lasted only 7 minutes whn slack defending allowed Crichton to equalise. Both teams pressed for the next goal and half chances came went begging. But in the 40th minute Crichton took the lead when the Crichton player was unmarked. With only 3 minutes to go to half time, Crichton increased their lead. As a ball came out from a corner, their midfield player fired home into the top corner from 18 yards.
H.T Vale 1 Crichton 3
The 2nd half was only 5 minutes old when Neill reproduced Stenton's feat. This time we won a corner on the right and Neill swung it in left footed. The keeper flapped at the ball and we had our 2nd goal. 3 minutes later we were level. this time Milligan won the ball in the middle and passed to BJ who beat the offside trap and side-footed the ball into the net. Then the game developed into end to end football as both sides went for the winner. Our goalie Johnston pulled off some cracking saves to keep us in the game but with 2 minutes left the Ref gave Crichton a free kick 2 yards out of the penalty area. This was strongly contested by our side but the ref waved away any protests. Clearly unsettled we didn't defend the free kick and their striker scored what proved to be the winner.
F.T Vale 3 Crichton 4
A disappointing end to the game after we had fought hard to get back on level terms in the 2nd half. Once again we gave goals away cheaply. Best for us on the day was goalie Jack Johnston who made some excellent saves throughout the match.
Ref - J Thomson; Assistants - A Davis, D Laurie