Month: March 2017

Match Preview: Civil Service Strollers – Currie hoping to start

New arrival Ryan Currie is hoping his impact in the Spartans draw is enough to win him a starting spot at Civil Service Strollers tomorrow. But he has vowed to do his best for the team as a substitute if that is how he is used.

The midfielder was a trialist at Ainslie Park, coming on in the second half to impress. However, it was a third match unbeaten for the side so there will be healthy competition for places.

He said: “I’m hoping to start tomorrow, but even if I’m on the bench I’ll be ready to come on and do my best for the team and hopefully we can carry on the run and get a win. All the boys will definitely be up for a good game tomorrow.

“I played a part on Saturday in the draw against Spartans, and it just shows how good a team Vale is being disappointed coming away with a draw.”

Last weekend’s point was enough to move Vale clear of Civil in the league, and a win tomorrow would move them four points clear and potentially up to eighth depending on other results.

It would make it four unbeaten for the Innerleithen side after wins over Preston Athletic and Cumbernauld Colts and the Spartans draw.

Strollers were edged out by Gala Fairydean Rovers last Saturday but prior to that they had an impressive 5-2 win at Hawick Royal Albert.

Form

Vale LLWWD

Civil LLDWL

Previous result

Vale 1-2 Civil (3/12/16)

Ando serves up a Currie

Vale have secured the signing of Ryan Currie until the end of the season, and he has vowed to help the team continue their good run.

The midfielder was recently with East Kilbride briefly but left due to travelling issues, and he was previously with SPFL League One side Livingston where he picked up first team experience. He is out to showcase his talent while helping the team improve their league position.

“I’m delighted to sign with Vale until the end of the season. They have been on a good run lately and I’d love to play a part in keeping that going. I feel I will bring a lot going forward for the team and I will work really hard week in week out.

“I’ve heard a lot about the club and know a few boys there. It’s a good young team with great players there. I played a part on Saturday against Spartans, and it just shows how good a team Vale is being disappointed coming away with a draw.

“I’ll do my best until the end of the season for Vale and see what happens but I’m out to prove a point to a lot of people and show them what I can do”, said Currie.

The 19-year-old impressed as a trialist in last weekend’s draw at Spartans and will come into contention for a starting spot in tomorrow’strip to Civil Service Strollers

Cup draw pairs Vale with Stirling Uni

Vale have been handed a home draw in the Lowland League Cup, where they will play University of Stirling.

The cup will commence after the league season has been completed, with the Victoria Park clash scheduled for April 29.

The full draw is:

Gala Fairydean Rovers v Edinburgh University

Vale of Leithen v Stirling University

Selkirk v East Stirlingshire

Hawick Royal Albert v Preston Athletic

Whitehill Welfare v Gretna 2008

East Kilbride v Spartans

Civil Service Strollers v Dalbeattie Star

Cumbernauld Colts v BSC Glasgow

Spartans match reaction: Ando ready to take Vale on a journey

The performance in drawing with Spartans was “terrific” but still merely an indication of the direction in which the club is moving in.

That’s the view of Chris Anderson, who was pleased with the display against his old club. However he wants competing with the higher profile clubs in the league to become the norm.

He said: “That was as good as we’ve played all season but I’m determined to change the DNA of this club and challenge our group to have the belief when coming to places like Spartans.

“Both teams were missing a few players but having said that I thought our team display was terrific.”

Despite falling behind to the league’s third placed side, Vale fought back and equalised through a well-taken volley by Tommy Patterson. The lead was ours nine minutes into the second half when Jason Stevens scored his fifth in three games from a free kick, but Spartans sub Jonny Grotlin secured the draw with only nine minutes remaining.

“It was great to see young Tommy Patterson score a superb goal and that will give him more confidence as he continues to grow.

“We have now scored eight goals in three games which is impressive by anybody’s standards. Our goal has always been to improve as a team and with a stronger squad now there’s no excuses for us not to do just that”, added Anderson.

Having come through two tough games against Cumbernauld Colts and Spartans with a win and a draw, Vale now have a run in of eight matches which could be viewed upon as winnable. They will though have to remain focused if they are to add to the three game unbeaten run, with the competitiveness of the Lowland League evident. They need look no further than their eight game winless streak for a reminder of how readily things can slip.

The players will also have the added motivation of trying to stay on the manager’s good side as plans for the future begin to take shape. The desire to become a consistent top end of the table side will require foresight and constant planning, and Anderson explained that the players will have to prove to him that they can fit into his lofty plans.

“As we move to the last part of season I will challenge the players to show they want to be a part of our journey next season. We want ambitious players and players with high standards. It’s now up to them to perform like we know they can”, he said.

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Match Preview: Loan-Spartans size up clash between their two sides

With split loyalties for this Saturday’s match against Spartans, Brad Raiker is looking forward to a “very good football match.”

The versatile player, along with fellow Spartans loanee Blair Atkinson, is unavailable for the match. However, he believes he will be treated to a feast of football while on the sidelines.

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He said: “I think the game on Saturday will be a very good football match. Both teams like to play out from the back and keep the ball on the deck.

“Although Spartans are in a more advanced league position and will be going in as favourites, I feel Vale can get something from the game as the squad is back to full strength and morale is high after the last two wins. Chris Anderson will have done his homework also as he knows Dougie Samuel and the Spartans boys well.”

Atkinson has playing well for the Vale with 14 goals and is therefore frustrated that he will be idle this weekend. He echoed Raiker’s views while remaining firmly on the fence.

“It’s annoying I can’t play as I’m in good form, Spartans are a strong team and doing well, but Vale are also on a run just now also so it could go either way. I think a draw could keep me happy for both sides!”, he said.

Both players have cast an eye on their parent club from afar, keeping an interest in how their club-mates are faring. Spartans are traditionally one of the strongest sides in the Lowland League, winning it in its first season before promotion to the SPFL was possible. With big spending East Kilbride running away with the title this season, Spartans are in a battle with East Stirlingshire for second spot. Both players feel that Spartans are just as good as EK.

Raiker said: “Spartans’ season has been okay but I think they would have liked to challenge EK a bit more. I strongly feel Spartans are a better side than them and have shown that on two occasions by beating them.

“Spartans have a cup final to look forward against Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale, I know the lads are looking forward to that and confident they can lift the silverware.”

Atkinson added: “Spartans have had a few injuries this year and in my view they’re doing very well, also they are in a cup final. EK have spent quite a lot of money this year and it’s showing. Spartans are better off in the head to head with EK so they aren’t far apart.”

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