Ashfield F & A C 2 Vale of Leven 1 , Saracen Park, Glasgow. Kick-Off 2pm

Ashfield welcomed Vale of Leven to Saracen Park this afternoon and a brilliant ninety minutes was witnessed by a decent crowd. Both teams ran out in their traditional strips, Dark Blue, White and Red for the 'Vale' with Ashfield in their Black and White Hoops. The game started with both sides trying to play football in difficult windy conditions. Vale of Leven were stroking the ball around quickly and looked lively in the forward line with Meechan causing the most danger.

Darren O'Donnell was also looking lively in the Ashfield forward line, linking up well with Craig Smith and Ali Martin. Clear cut chances were scarce in this first half encounter with both teams realising that valuable points were up for grabs. The Visitors maintained their good start to the match and opened the scoring after approx 25mins. A free kick was awarded deep in the Ashfield half near the sideline which was delivered high to the back post with pace. The 'Vale' player headed it back towards the goal which got deflected and fell perfectly for the onrushing 'Vale' striker to head in from 5 yards out. Ashfield 0 Vale of Leven 1.

This goal kick started Ashfield and they now began to play their silky football that they are renowned for. After approx 35mins Ashfield should have been level when O'Donnell whipped in a cross to the back of the Vale box only to see the defender clear to safety with Passmore looking a certainty to score. The referee blew his whistle for the end of the half with Ashfield having it all to do in the 2nd half.

HALF TIME: ASHFIELD 0 VALE OF LEVEN 1

Ashfield emerged for the second half looking determined and this was clear to see from the kick-off with Cairley and Gault commanding the midfield area. Jamie Reilly was having a superb match for Ashfield at the back and was pushing forward with surging runs and intelligently releasing Ali Martin on the wing. Craig Smith was starting to use his electric pace, weaving past the 'Vale' defenders at every opportunity and delivering some excellent crosses into the box.

Eventually after approx 70mins Ashfield got their deserved equaliser and what a goal it was. The referee awarded a free kick to Ashfield 25 yards out after Smith had been fouled. Ali Martin stepped up and curled the ball perfectly past the wall and over the 'Vale' keeper high into the net. A truly brilliant free-kick and contender for Goal of the Season. Ashfield 1 Vale of Leven 1.

This was the catalyst that Ashfield needed and they surged forward at every opportunity. Smith almost made it 2-1 after 75mins after he picked the ball before dancing past a couple of 'Vale' defenders only to see his reverse shot brilliantly palmed to safety from the keeper. It did not take long though for Smith to score the all important goal that would see Ashfield gain the three points. A long ball was played deep upfield and was met by the 'Vale' defender who headed the ball to Smith who smashed the ball low and hard from 20 yards. The keeper looked to have it covered but the accuracy of the shot deceived the 'Vale' stopper as it crept by him and into the corner of the net to the delight of the Ashfield team, bench and supporters. Ashfield 2 Vale of Leven 1.

Vale of Leven came back at the 'field' after this goal and were helped after 80 minutes when Martin Gault was shown his second Yellow card of the game for something said to the referee to reduce Ashfield to ten men. A very harsh decision from the Referee who was over officious all afternoon.

Vale of Leven now took control of the match as Ashfield had to tinker with their formation and also had to make several tactical substitutions. Ashfield were defending excellently with Thomson and Reilly in the thick of the action. As the game approached full-time, Vale of Leven were awarded a dubious free kick just outside the Ashfield box. The 'Vale' player stepped up and slammed his shot goalwards which was met by the Ashfield Crossbar and cleared to safety. A real let off for Ashfield. Mark Andrews was next to save Ashfield two minutes later as the Vale of Leven player flicked the ball past the onrushing McGovern but his netbound effort was bravely met by Andrews who nipped in to clear the ball off the line.

This looked to be the last chance of the match but the referee awarded another free kick to the visitors deep into injury time again which looked extremely soft. The Ashfield team and bench were clearly outraged by this decision. The 'Vale' player smashed in a low shot that looked netbound but McGovern in the Ashfield goal produced a `World Class` save with his feet to seal the three points for Ashfield.

The referee looked at his watch after playing 3 minutes of time added on and blew his whistle. A great three points for Ashfield!!. Credit to Vale of Leven who tried to play football at every opportunity and will cause many teams trouble this season.

FULL TIME: ASHFIELD 2 VALE OF LEVEN 1


Man of the Match:- Darren O'Donnell was outstanding again today along with Steven McGovern, Craig Smith, Ryan Cairley and Mark Thomson but JAMIE REILLY was in a different class today thwarting Vale of Leven on numerous occasions and also making some darting runs forward.

Attendance:- 50

Photographs by:- Inga