Upon hearing that a fixture re-scheduling has meant that Vale will take on East Kilbride again on Saturday after last week’s 9-1 thumping, everyone connected with the club would have been forgiven for letting out a collective groan.

But manager Chris Anderson prefers to look upon it as an opportunity to rectify a sub standard performance, and for his team to show what they are really about. They had been going well up until that match and will be looking to put the disappointment of being out of the cup to one side and try to maintain their status in the upper reaches of the league.

The EK Park men were heavy favourites for the tie, but not many would have predicted an eight goal deficit against a team just a few league places below them. Anderson explained: “Everyone was disappointed after last week’s performance and the players know they let themselves down.

“East Kilbride are an excellent side with aspirations of promotion this season and have spent a small fortune on acquiring experienced players.”

Civil Service Strollers were scheduled to visit Victoria Park this weekend, but their draw with Hawick Royal Albert in the Scottish Cup means they have to replay the tie. Hawick were supposed to play East Kilbride, so with the two sides free the fixture was scheduled. Bouncing back from such a heavy defeat can be difficult mentally, but to have to prepare yourself to take on the side that defeated you just seven days later must make the feeling multiply. The Vale squad seem to be made of tougher stuff though, and ‘Ando’ sees a group of players ready to fight.

“This Saturday can’t come quick enough as each player is determined to restore some pride. We will have to be at our very best to get the performance we want and I am sure it will be a different game.”