A minutes silence was observed at today’s game to mark the passing of Honourary President Willie Brunton.
Willie, who passed yesterday afternoon, was involved at the club for over 60 years and held almost every position from player to groundsman.
Condolences to Willie’s family.
The daunting task of refacing the side that crushed them with a 9-1 Scottish Cup defeat just last weekend lies in store for Vale of Leithen tomorrow.
Despite taking an early lead, Vale were 6-1 down by half time at EK Park before conceding a further three goals in the second half.
That was just the tip of the iceberg of East Kilbride’s impressive form, with Martin Lauchlan’s team having won every competitive match this season. In the league, they have won eight from eight, scoring 29 and conceding three. That has left them four points clear in first with a game in hand at this early stage.
Clearly, losing to the runaway leaders carries no shame, but shipping nine goals at any level is never welcomed. Vale will be looking to put that behind them and get back to the football that has them in 6th place.
Chris Anderson said: “Everyone was disappointed after last week’s performance and the players know they let themselves down.
“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.”
Vale will have new signing Brad Raiker available for the match which kicks off at 3pm at Victoria Park.
Vale last night secured the signing of Bradley Raiker on a loan deal from Spartans.
The 21-year-old can play at right back or in midfield and joins a growing list of Vale players with Spartans connections.
Chris Anderson enthused: “This is an exciting one and Brad should prove to be a good signing. We are delighted to get him signed up for the rest of the season.”
Raiker joins teenager Ross Lamb who signed from Gala Fairydean Rovers and has featured in the match day squads against Creetown and East Kilbride.
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.”
As a result of Civil Service Strollers’ Scottish Cup replay against Hawick Royal Albert this Saturday, we have had our fixture changed. We will now play a league match at home to East Kilbride on this date.
