NMV 4 - 7 Lauriston Thistle

VAles season was dealt a blow with a below par performance against rivals Lauriston Thistle. The weather played its part with strong woinds throughout but the players had to shoulder the blame as individual errors and lack of concentration cost the home side.

The visitors took the lead after only 5 minutes when the left forward had acres of space to drive a cross in to the box, what looked like a routine stop for Delso was spilled and the striker was first to react to smash the ball home.

Vale pushed for an equaliser and it came on 12 minutes, a long throw was flicked on by Notman and Keir picked up the loose ball, turned and tucked it away in to the corner.

Only 4 minutes passed before Lauriston regained the lead, this time a routine long free kick evaded the defence and keeper and went straight in. On 29 miutes the lead was extended when again Vale failed to pick up men and a loose ball fell to the Lauriston winger from a corner and he volleyed past Delso from a tight angle.

On 37 minutes the visitors made it 4-1, this time a long aimless ball caused confusion in the Vale rearguard and the striker nipped in to score.

Vale did pull one back before the break when Keir released strike partner Reid in the box and he slotted past the keeper.

With Vale looking to take the game to their opponents they started the second half well but were dealt a major blow when full back Ure was sent off for a dangerous tackle. Vale did initially pull another goal back from the spot through Keir after Rankin had been fouled but the hope was short lived as Lauriston took advantage of the extra man and scored 3 more goals. Again all goals were soft from the home sides point of view. Reid did grab another consolation goal from the spot with 5 minutes to go after Sproule had been brought down in the box but in the end the visitors ran out deserved winners.

Team: Delso; Gibbons (Stuart Millar), McDougall, Notman, Banks; Ritchie (Campbell), Ure, Sproule, Seywright (Rankin); Reid, Keir (Scott Millar).

Goals: Keir (2), Reid (2)

Assists: Notman, Keir, Rankin, Sproule

Red Card: Ure