Today’s game was again more about the pitch than standard of play.

With rain in the previous few days the pitch was heavy and started to deteriorate as soon as play commenced.

The Vale had the better of the early exchanges with the Star starting find their feet after 20 minutes. However, it was Vale who took the lead in the 26 minute Ainslie Hunter scored after a melee in the Star box.

Vale failed to hold the lead for very long and Tommy Muir equalised for Star in 30 minutes.

At this stage Star were beginning to press and were rewarded when some slack marking allowed Farrel O’Sullivan to score in the 40 minute.

HT 1-2

The second half continued as the first, with both teams struggling on the heavy surface.

Things got worse for Vale in 52 minute when Dean Brotherston increased Star’s lead when prodding home a cross.

The rest of the game was unspectacular with both teams battling to overcome the conditions.

Vale were awarded a penalty in injury time, which Kerr Allan hammered home.

A another worry for the Vale was the injury to Tommy Patterson, who he is just beginning to recover from a knee injury in the early part of the season.

FT 2-3

Man of the Match was Ainslie Hunter as selected by Match Sponsor, Currie Roofing.