Jason Stevens warned that there is more to come from both him and his Vale team-mates after he made a scoring return in the 3-1 win over Preston.

It was the side’s first match since January 7 thanks to a combination of bad weather and fixture scheduling, and before that they had gone eight matches without winning. Stevens had been missing due to injury and this was his first appearance since the defeat to East Stirling on December 18.

The midfielder, who can also operate up front, insists that despite notching a brace he is not at peak match fitness yet. He also hopes that the team can use the positive result as a springboard for the rest of the campaign.

He said: “I’m happy to be back playing. Saturday was my first game back since before Christmas and it is always good to score a goal or two. I think I need a few more games before I’ll be fully match fit.

“Saturday was a very important win. It was important for the team to get a bit of confidence back after a few disappointing results.”

The next two matches pitch Vale up against two of the league’s top sides in Cumbernauld Colts and Spartans, before the season comes to a close with a run of seven fixtures against teams who are all close by in the table.They will be looking to pick up as many points as possible to haul themselves back into contention for a top half finish.

“We have a tough couple of games coming up against Cumbernauld and Spartans so I think we need to stick together and perform well and try to climb the league to where we were at the start of the season”, added Stevens.

Photo: (Helen Barrington, Peeblesshire News)

Chris Anderson has paid tribute to his outgoing Chairman Jack Diamond.

Diamond has had to step down due to work commitments, passing control over to his vice Stuart Robertson.

Anderson was entrusted with the manager’s position at a young age, for which he is thankful.

He said: “I would like to take the opportunity to thank Jack Diamond. Alongside Mark Lamb and his fellow committee members they saved the club from extinction and ensured the club met vital deadlines to stay in the league.

“I’m pleased Jack will stay on the board and play a vital role going forward and I will be forever grateful to him for having the courage to appoint a young enthusiastic coach to his first managerial post. He now passes on his chairmanship with the club in a far healthier position than ever before.”

Jack Diamond has stepped down as Vale of Leithen Chairman and been replaced by Vice-Chairman Stuart Robertson.

Diamond has been forced to relinquish his position due to increasing work commitments, and will remain on the committee. He steered the club through troubled times and helped ensure that they remained healthy and able to remain competitive in the Lowland League.

At a club meeting Robertson was asked to take over and duly accepted.

After taking on the role, Robertson said: “A big thank you to Jack for his hard work over the last few years.

“As Vice-Chairman I was asked to take over the position of Chairman which I was pleased to accept. It’s a huge honour as a former player and manager and I am determined to work alongside the rest of the committee and ensure the club move from strength to strength.”

 

Craig McBride loved every minute of his American adventure but he is equally happy to be back playing on Scottish soil.

The 22-year-old is just back from a stint at Davenport University in Michigan where he combined his studies with playing for the University’s soccer team.

Upon his return, he signed on with Chris Anderson’s Vale in January and played in the matches against Selkirk and Gala Fairydean Rovers before the team’s enforced lay off. He is now raring to go for the remainder of the season and is looking to help the club climb the league table.

McBride said: “I loved the experience and wouldn’t change it for anything. I worked in a call centre before I left for America and I just wanted a change. So when the opportunity came about to move country and also continue playing football I couldn’t say no.

“We won the league and also came close to winning the national tournament twice, which the best schools in the US compete in. I really enjoyed my time there and made a lot of good friends from all over the world that I still speak to on a regular basis.

“It was a really fun lifestyle, we would have a couple of classes in the morning, and then train in the afternoon. And we trained every day, so the team became very close.”

After a baptism of fire in two tough Border derbies, including one against his hometown and ex-team Gala, the centre half has not been able to make any more competitive appearances for his new team as they have not played since January 7. He revealed that a lack of action has not hindered his integration into the squad.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at the Vale so far. Everyone – including players, staff and people behind the scenes, have been really welcoming and it’s easy to fit in.

“Obviously the couple of games I’ve played in, the results haven’t gone our way but I’m sure that the results will come.

“Ando has made a few signings and there’s a few players coming back from injury that will boost the squad. So I’m very positive going into the second half of the season.

“Although we haven’t had a lot of competitive game time lately, we have been training really well and we’ve had a few friendlies to keep us ticking over.

“I already feel quite settled. I also knew a few of the boys previously which helped of course. Our training sessions are naturally competitive and that’s really important. When we play a game in training nobody wants to lose.

“I think this will have a positive effect when we do play competitively and everyone will be ready to go despite the lack of games. I think with the type of squad we have the league isn’t really a fair reflection”, said McBride.