Vale 1 Whitehill Welfare 0
This rescheduled Challenge Cup 3rd Round tie was played out on a very heavy which had deteriorated from the morning inspection due to some rain/sleet showers.
Vale had also decided to rest Hunter and Dawson, with both being listed as Subs.
With a good crowd in attendance despite the weather it was obvious from the kick off that today was going to be tough going for both sides.
With both sides showing an appetite for a physical battle it was Vale who drew first blood in the 15 min when after a nice move a cross from Smith was knocked home by Sean Stewart.
The rest of the first half was played out with both sides evenly matched and both goalkeepers performing well when required.
HT 1-0
The second half started with Welfare on the offensive and the Vale defence standing firm. For all their early pressure Welfare were not giving any problems to Gilpin in the Vale goal.
As the half progressed Vale were beginning to recover their first half composure and had a couple of half chances, whilst at the other end of the pitch Welfare were also struggling to create any clear cut chances.
Both teams utilised their full quota of subs during the second half, as the ground conditions were beginning to have an effect on some players.
Welfare position deteriorated in the 87 min when their full back Reid pulled Stewart back during a Vale attack and was shown his second yellow card.
FT 1-0
Taking the pitch conditions into consideration both teams put up a decent show for the fans, and Vale merited the victory which now means a trip to Cumbernauld Colts in the next round.
The sponsors Man of the Match as selected by Andrew Caldwell of Caldwell’s Luxury Ice Creams was Sean Stewart