Two goals from the penalty spot have helped summer signing Jordan Finnie settle in at the Vale, although his new team-mates have also had their part to play.

The striker made the move from Civil Service Strollers in the summer and after finding the net from the spot in the first match of pre-season against Peebles Rovers, he has accepted the opportunity twice more in competitive matches.

Adapting to life at a new club can be fraught with difficulty as a player gets to grip with new surroundings and trying to gel with different personnel. It can be doubly tough for a striker as they are judged on goals and so are often keen to get off the mark quickly.

For that reason Finnie is glad that he was able to do quickly at his new club. Speaking ahead of tommorow’s trip to Annan to face Edusport Academy, he said: “I think for any striker the most challenging thing is actually getting that first goal, especially at a new club, so the penalties have definitely helped.

“It’s always good to score a goal whether it be a penalty or not.

“I’ve loved it since I came in. Everyone has been brilliant with me personally, obviously it takes time to get to know everyone and how they play. But I’ve known Ando for a while and I know how he wants to play and the types of players he wants at the club so I’m looking forward to seeing how we do this season.”

The only two defeats on Finnie’s Vale record have come against highly rated teams in East Kilbride and Stirling University. Wins against Edinburgh University and Preston Athletic as well as an unbeaten pre-season have boosted morale, and the striker is happy with how things have been going on the park, adding: “Given the teams we have played with the amount of boys that are lucky enough to be away on holiday or missing through injury the boys who have played have done brilliant.”

Attentions now turn to the league’s new boys in Edusport Academy. They will be a bit of an unknown quality to the Vale squad having never faced them before, but have had a solid start since earning promotion from the South of Scotland League.

Last weekends comfortable 4-0 win over Hawick Royal Albert and an opening day point shared with Gala Fairydean Rovers has them on four points from four games. Finnie is ready for a hard encounter, but not for the travelling involved.

“I’m sure it will be a tough game, every game at this level is tough. I’m just not looking forward to the two hour car journey”, he said.