06-07 Season Reports



Sat 28th April 2007

Rosyth 3-1 Eastvale

Scottish Brewers Cup Quarter Final

Eastvale travelled to Rosyth on Saturday in a Scottish Brewers cup quarter final. Eastvale were slightly under strength due to injury but had won well in midweek against Balgonie and were in confident mood.
Douglas won the toss and elected to play against the stiff breeze. Rosyth started much the better side and forced Eastvale back. It was no surprise when they took the lead after 10 minutes when a through ball split the vale defence for a simple finish.
After the loss of the goal, Eastvale seemed to settle and began to play some good football against the wind with Allan, McLeod & Halley doing well down the left. From one of these attacks, a free-kick from Beaumont was sent in to the back post where Laing headed across goal for Allan to tap into the empty net.
The game became a midfield struggle for a period with some heavy tackles flying in from both sides, which were going unpunished by the referee.
Just before the half time break a long ball down the right was crossed into the box by a Rosyth midfielder. His cross was mishit and caught on the breeze to fly over the helpless Gardner into the top corner.
The loss of this goal was a blow to Vale, but wind advantage in the second half meant that they were still confident the deficit could be turned around.
The first period of the second half saw Eastvale dominate without really creating a clear cut chance, the home goalkeeper dropping 3 crosses, but luckily falling to a team mate to clear each time. Eastvale suffered a blow with 20 minutes remaining when Halley was sent off for 2 yellow card offences within 5 minutes of each other.
Within 2 minutes of the sending off, Vale had their best chance of the half when McLeod sent Hill through on goal. His goal-bound shot was well blocked by the defender.
With time running out and Eastvale chasing an equaliser, spaces were being left for Rosyth to counter attack. From one these attacks the clinching third goal was scored with 5 minutes left.

Sat 14th April 2007

Lumphinans Utd 0-1 Eastvale

Glendale Plastics League

Eastvale travelled to Lumphinnans on Saturday for their third league game of the week, beating Balgonie on Tuesday before losing late on to Scottish Cup Semi-Finalists Cupar Hearts on Thursday.
The exertions of the midweek games showed early on as Vale struggled to keep pace with the eager home side. Once they found their feet, Vale began to impose themselves, with Allan & Halley working well down the left. Both McLeod & Aird had half chances but missed the target.
Eastvale suffered a huge blow just before half time when in the act of clearing the ball Alan Blyth suffered a broken leg. The loss of Blyth and the sparse bench meant that Vale had to resort to a back 4 for the first time this season. The reshuffle took time to bed in and during this time Lumphinnans had 2 good chances but were well saved by Gardner.
The half time break arrived just in time for Vale. The perfect start to the second half came as the new right back Thomson found himself free at the back post to header in a cross by Allan.
As the home side came out looking for the equaliser, Vale were now able to get more space to pass the ball around especially down the right hand side. Beaumont, Allan & Thomson were causing the home side’s left back to have nightmares as he was being beaten at will. An Allan nutmeg on him led to a cross which Aird couldn’t quite reach at the back post. Aird had the next chance after more good play down the right, but his 20-yard shot hit the bar.
As the game drew to a close, Lumphinnnans penned Eastvale back, but Martin marshalled the back four very well, with Gardner only having to make one save to give Vale a well deserved win.


All at Eastvale would like to wish Alan Blyth a speedy recovery.

Sat 7th April 2007

Eastvale 1-3 Burntisland Shipyard

SM Plumbing Kingdom Cup (round 1)

Eastvale hosted Burntisland on Saturday in a first round cup-tie buoyed by the excellent midweek victory over local rivals Kirkland. However it only took the shipyard three minutes to deflate vale as they took the lead through a defensive mistake.
It took the home side another 10 minutes to get back into the game and their first chance fell to Allan whose shot narrowly missed the far post.
Burntisland’s defence was coming under pressure from Eastvale and another chance fell to Martin at the back post, but he couldn’t quite get his header back across goal and the chance was lost. The remainder of the first half was played largely in midfield with no real goalmouth action.
Eastvale started the second half the better side, without really forcing the visitor’s keeper into a meaningful save. Shipyard was looking to hit on the break and doubled their lead 20 minutes into the half as a well delivered near post corner was flicked past Gardner.
Vale were looking for something special to get them back into the game and this came courtesy of McLeod who lobbed the keeper from 40 yards with 10 minutes left. Vale were now pressing for the equaliser but met a resolute back four. A couple of half-chances went begging before the Shipyard tied the game up with a minute to go.

Sat 31st March 2007

Eastvale 3-2 Star Hearts

Glendale Plastics League

Eastvale came back from two down to win this league encounter on a scraggy and bumpy Greig Park.
The visitors got off to the perfect start by going aheah after only four minutes.
Micheal Sullivan sent over a corner from the left, the home defence failed to clear and the ball fell for Calum Bissett to bury into the corner. Hearts continued to press and the legs of kepper Gordon Kinear kept out a Michael Spence drive. Robbie Dalrymple then sent a free kick into the box which broke for Sullivan, who shot straight at the keeper. Eastvale had their first chance midway through the half as Alex Douglas sent a dangerous ball across the face of the goal but there were no takers. Darren McLeod then sent in a shot which whizzed just high of of the target. A weak out from McNab landed at the feet of Jamie Allan and he reacted quickly to fie the ball straight back in, but it went right back to the keeper. Hearts went two up on on the half-hour mark when Ryan Thomson played in Gary Honeyman and he ghost past a couple of Eastvale defenders before steering the ball into the net. Back at the other end Allan and Bobby Aird combined withthe letter's shot being turned round the post for a coner by McNab. In first-half stoppage time, Eastvale pulled a goal back. Sullivan lost possesion inside his own half which let Mcleod in to lay the ball off to Allan, who only had to guide it into the empty net.
Within two minutes of the restart, Eastvale restored parity as Steven Beaumont swung in a free kick from the left and, with his first touch , substitute Paul Martin rose to head past McNab. Beaumont then fired a free kick in from 25yards which flew just past the upright. At the opposite end, Mark Reilly got through only to see his angular shot beat kinnear but inch past the post. Star where made to pay when 'Vale snatched a winner in the 87th minute. Beaumont delivered a corner from the left and, as the ball came into the congested goal area, it eluded everyone and ended up in the net for a Eastvale victory.

Sat 17th March 2007

Burntisland Shipyard 1-2 Eastvale

Glendale Plastics League

Eastvale travelled to Burntisland on Saturday to face a Shipyard side in good form toward to top of the table. Conditions were made difficult by a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch and a very uneven and rutted playing surface.
Douglas won the toss for Vale and decided to play against the wind in the first half. It was no surprise that Eastvale were on the defensive for the bulk of the half, but the home side only looked dangerous from set pieces. After 25 minutes, a long throw was caught on the breeze. The resultant scramble in the box saw a shot strike the bar and the rebound was put into the net, despite the ball hitting a shipyard player on the goal line in an offside position.
Eastvale began to attack more after this setback and twice McLeod was sent through on goal, but twice the home keeper denied him with fine saves.
With 2 minutes left to half time, Vale cleared a corner and caught the home defence on the counter attack. Aird struck a fierce shot from 20 yards that the keeper failed to hold. Allan was first to the rebound and his neat back heel set up McLeod to roll the ball into the corner for the equaliser.
Vale still had time to suffer a scare before the break as a wind assisted clearance caught out the back line and Laing was forced into a last gasp tackle in the box.
With the wind at their back, Vale were now the attacking force, Douglas and Martin were driving the midfield forward. It was no surprise when Eastvale took the lead from a Beaumont corner. His back post delivery was met by Martin who finished with a powerful header.
Burntisland were forced to chase the game now, but Thomson and the back line never suffered any real problems, and the regular breaks were creating chances. The home keeper again saved well from McLeod and both Beaumont & McFarlane had shots that went close before the full time whistle.

Sat 10th March 2007

Eastvale 2-2 Kettle United

Glendale Plastics League

Eastvale entertained Kettle United on Saturday in a league fixture. A tricky pitch and strong wind made conditions difficult for both sides and it took 20 minutes for players on both teams to acclimatise to this. Kettle were the first to threaten as a 25-yard free kick had Gardner in the home goal scrambling. Fortunately for the home side, the free kick hit the outside of the post.
Eastvale came close when a clearance from inside his own half by MacDougall was caught on the breeze and caught the keeper off his line. He was relieved to see the ball bounce over the bar for a goal kick. MacDougall was again in the action in his own box making a brave block, but sustained an ankle injury, which forced him off.
Vale took the lead 10 minutes before half time when a cross from the right was missed by the Kettle back line and Stuart Thomson forced the ball over the line. The lead was almost doubled on the stroke of half time when good one touch passing down the left allowed Halley to get beyond the defence. His cut back was met by the onrushing Aird, who narrowly shot wide.
Kettle started the second half better and forced Eastvale onto the back foot. The pressure paid off after 60 minutes as their left-winger received the ball in an offside looking position. His cut back was headed in despite a valiant effort by Gardner.
From the resultant kick off, Vale should have gone ahead, but Allan missed when put through by Beaumont. Another chance went begging as McLeod missed at the back post, but with 20 minutes left Stuart Thomson scored his second of the game, finishing clinically from 12 yards.
Kettle were in no mood to give up and a good turn in the box by their centre forward tricked Blyth into a rash tackle conceding a penalty. Gardner was up for the task though as he saved the spot kick. 2 minutes later Kettle did equalise when the same Kettle player who missed the penalty found the top corner with a Free-kick after Thomson was adjudged to have fouled.
The remainder of the game was end to end as both teams tried and failed to get the winner. Vale were aggrieved in the last 2 minutes when substitute Scobie had a shot blocked with what looked like a hand, but the referee waved away their claims and the game finished level. Vale will look on this as another 2 points dropped in their pursuit of regaining the league title.

Sat 3rd March 2007

Balgonie Scotia 1-9 Eastvale

Scottish brewers cup rnd 1

Eastvale returned to winning ways on Saturday in emphatic style on Saturday as they visited Balgonie Scotia.
2 successive defeats meant that a win was necessary to lift spirits. They started very well on a heavy pitch, but used the slope to their advantage to force Scotia onto the back foot. The breakthrough came in 15 minutes when Jamie Allan played in Brett Halley and he slotted past the keeper. The lead was doubled shortly after when McLeod shot home from 15 yards. It was one-way traffic now as both Allan & McLeod were giving the Scotia defence a torrid time. 10 minutes before half time, a cut back from Allan was flicked on by Beaumont and McLeod scored his second.
On one of their few ventures upfield, Scotia forced a corner. From the set piece MacFarlane cleared a header off the line.
On the stroke of half time, the fourth goal came courtesy of Craig Lamont.
At the start of the second half, Eastvales play became sloppy and Balgonie scored after poor defending allowed a free header.
This set back spurred on Eastvale and within 5 minutes, Halley scored his second of the game with a near post header from an Allan cross. 2 minutes later he completed his hat trick with a volley from a short corner.
Balgonie were now totally demoralised and Eastvale were attacking at will. The seventh goal was the pick of the goals as Halley scored his fourth with a delightful chip over the keeper into the far top corner from 25 yards. 2 more goals followed as McDougall and Laing both scored back post headers from corners by McLeod to leave the final score 9-1.

Sat 24th February 2007

Freuchie 3-2 Eastvale

Fife Amateur Cup Round 3

Eastvale, hoping to recover from the previous week's inglorious Scottish Cup exit, travelled the short distance to Freuchie but found their hosts in resolute mood.
Eastvale played fast, flowing football from the kick off and were rewarded within five minutes when Scobie hooked the ball home.Freuchie had to endure severe pressure for the next 15 minutes but found their feet and slack 'Vale defending gave them an equaliser. Freuchie, using the slope to their advantage, should have increased their tally when handball in the box resulted in a penalty but Gardner made a brilliant save.
From the restart at the begining of the second half, Douglas was sent clear but Freuchie's keeper pulled of a great save.Gardner was replaced in goal by Kinnear and his first task was to pick the ball ou of the net as more slack defending by Eastvale was punished by Freuchie.Eastvale layed seige to the Freuchie goal and McLeod struck a fierce shot, which the keeper parried and then, from point-blank range, denied Allan.
Freuchie then were awarded a free kick and a free header at the back post increased their lead to 3-2.Both teams were reduced to 10 men as Eastvale camped in the Freuchie half.Thomson slotted home a second for Eastvale but victory and a place in the fourth round went to Freuchie.

Sat 17th February 2007

Eastvale V Falkirk Ams

Scottish Cup 6th Round

This weekend The Vale play host to last years finalists in what should prove to be an exciting and hard fought cup tie.

Falkirk Ams played Kennoway in the last round and after a hard fought out 1-1 draw falkirk managed a 5-4 home victory that will see them travel to windygates this week.

Saturday 3rd February 2007

Eastvale 2-0 Port Glasgow

Scottish Cup 5th Round

Eastvale entertained Port Glasgow in the Scottish Cup 5th round on Saturday at Greig Park. Vale started well and had the visitors on the back foot from the off. The first chance fell to Martin, but was ruled out for offside. The next chance was created by Douglas. His through ball found McLeod who rounded the keeper, but was forced wide and the keeper blocked the shot. The rolls were reversed 5 minutes later as this time McLeod put Douglas through, but his shot was well saved by the Port Glasgow keeper.
Eastvale finally made the breakthrough after 25 minutes when a McLeod corner was headed back across goal and Craig Lamont headed over the keeper from 6 yards. Chances were being created freely now, but a combination of excellent goalkeeping & poor finishing kept Port Glasgow in the game.

The second half started as the first had ended with Eastvale attacking. Both Martin & Kerr had shots well saved and Lamont shot over when the goal was at his mercy. 20 minutes into the second half, Vale doubled their lead. Martin broke through the back line and squared a pass, which was dummied by Allan and Stuart Thomson arrived at the back post to coolly slot past the keeper.
The final quarter of the game was played out comfortably, with Gardner hardly getting his gloves dirty. Chances were still being created, but the visiting keeper was in inspired form as he saved chances from Martin, Kerr & Douglas. Martin also struck the bar from a cut back by Allan.
The win puts Eastvale through into the last 32 of the national competition.

Sat 27th January 2007

Star Hearts 0-3 Eastvale

Glendale Plastics League

Eastvale made the short trip to play Star Hearts on Saturday hoping to continue their recent good form. The team was unchanged from the side that beat Strathmiglo last week and made a good start to the game attacking down the hill at Treaton Park.
Eastvale made the first chance when good play from Allan & Lamont gave Martin a shooting chance but this was blocked. A good through ball put the Star forward through one on one with Gardner, but he made a fine block with his legs.
This let off was the spur that Eastvale needed as almost straight away a pass by Kinnear put McLeod through on goal. His shot was saved but Douglas tapped the rebound into the empty net.
At the other end a cross was punched out by Gardner, who made an excellent save from the resulting shot.
Eastvale were forced into making a change through injury, but within 30 seconds, substitute Thomson sent a pass through for Martin to slot past the keeper.
There was one more chance before half time as Allan went through on the keeper, only for the goalie to make a fine save at his feet.

Vale made another change at half time, with Beaumont being introduced for Allan. The second half started the same as the first had ended with Vale on top. Several chances were created, but none were taken. Beaumont had a 20-yard strike hit the top of the bar and Danny Thomson had 2 good shots well saved by the keeper before McLeod scored with 15 minutes left.
This was the perfect result for Eastvale ahead of their 5th Round Scottish cup-tie next week when they are at home to Port Glasgow.

Sat 20th January 2007

Eastvale 3-1 Strathmiglo United

Glendale Plastics League

Greig Park survived the worst of last week’s weather to allow Eastvale’s game against table topping Strathmiglo to go ahead on Saturday.
The heavy pitch and strong wind made conditions difficult and both teams struggled to come to terms with this for the first 15 minutes.
The games first chance fell to Eastvale as McLeod’s lofted pass sent Douglas through, but his finish was off target. Next to threaten were Strath and they had one goal correctly ruled out for offside, before another chance struck the outside of the post.
Eastvale rallied and both Martin & McLeod had chances before Thomson was fouled just outside the box after 30 minutes. The resultant free kick saw Laing & Allan win headers to set up Martin for a cool headed finish at the back post.

There was a long delay at the start of the second half as the refereee syuffered an injury and a substitute ref was called for. The delay had no effect on Eastvale as straight from the kick-off, possession was won by Stuart Thomson who fed in Douglas on the right wing. His inside pass to Martin was touched onto Thomson who crashed a 20 yard strike into the far top corner with his weaker left foot.
Strathmiglo knew they had to press to get back into the game, but Eastvale were coping fairly comfortably until a deflected shot was spilled by Gardner and the rebound was put away. This gave Strath a huge lift and poured forward again, only for Gardner to make up for the earlier error with 2 excellent saves. The introduction of Kerr up front was creating problems no for Strath as Eastvale were using the counter-attack very well. From one of these breaks, Kerr was tripped in the box, but Laing’s spot kick was saved and the rebound cleared. Thus let off with 10 minutes left again gave Strath hope, but the Vale defence were well marshalled by Blyth and any cross balls into the box were being well cleared by Gardner, McDougall & Lamont.
In the last minute, Martin sent Kerr away down the right and his back post cross was forced in by Allan to give Eastvale a well deserved win.

6th Jan 2007

Eastvale 4-1 Rutherglen

Scottish Cup 5th Round

Eastvale returned to Scottish Cup action on Saturday when they entertained Rutherglen Amateurs. Vale started well and created some good early oppertunities. The breakthrough was made after 15 minutes when a through ball was collected by Jamie Allan and his cut back was rolled in by McLeod. This led to a period of pressure by Eastvale and several good chances were being created. From a free-kick, Martin came close to increasing the lead and a series of well delivered corners from McLeod were causing the Rutherglen defence all sorts of problems. From one of these corners the lead was doubled as Allan rose at the near post to glance past the keeper.

The second half was only a couple of minutes old when the third goal was scored, Allan side footing home from 15 yards after a poor defensive clearance. Vale took their foot off the pedal now and Rutherglen came back inot the game without ever forcing Gardner & the Eastvale defence into any real problems. With the visitors pressing, gaps were being left and one of these counter attacks resulted in Aird hitting the bar.

With 10 minutes remaining, Rutherglen forced a goal with a header from a free-kick. Eastvale responded by attacking straight from the kick-off and Kerr forced the keeper into a smart save. This put vale onto the front foot again and Kerr wrapped up the victory in the last minute by collecting a through ball and rounding the keeper and rolling the ball in the empty net.

9th December

Kettle 1-3 Eastvale

Glendale Plastics League

Eastvale travelled to Kingskettle on Saturday to play their first league game in over 2 months. Confidence was high after the fine away win in the Scottish cup last week and their quick start was rewarded within 5 minutes when a cross from the right was turned in at the back post by Thomson.
The lead was doubled shortly after when a smart turn by Wilson on the right wing created space for him to deliver a perfect cross for Thomson again to nod in at the back post.
Kettle responded by forcing Eastvale back and Gardner had to be on his toes to make a couple of good saves. Eastvale were coping better with this pressure now and some excellent short passing lead to a good chance for Douglas, who forced the keeper into a fine save.

The second half started with Kettle now playing down the slope. Early in the half, Vale were forced to make 2 defensive changes caused by injury and whilst still reorganising from these changes, Kettle pulled a goal back with a header from a free kick.
After the loss of the goal, Vale dug in and absorbed more pressure from Kettle but the introduction of Kerr as a substitute gave Eastvale a lift as his pace up front caused panic in the Kettle defence. It was no surprise when Allan added a third goal with 15 minutes remaining.
This goal knocked the stuffing out of Kettle and Eastvale played out the remaining time fairly comfortably, even affording the luxury of a missed penalty in injury time; Martin having his kick well saved.
Vale will be hoping for another victory this week to keep their confidence up for the forthcoming 4th Round Scottish cup tie at Home to Rutherglen on January 6th.

2nd December 2006

Doune Castle 1 v 2 Eastvale

Scottish Cup 3rd Round

Eastvale travelled to Doune to face top of the Caledonian league opposition on a very heavy pitch.
Eastvale opened up the match at a high tempo and this set the pattern for the rest of the match, Doune struggled to contain the Eastvale midfied and it paid dividends with 15 minutes on the clock, as Douglas was played into the box a coolly slotted the ball home from 15 yards. Doune came back into the game and won a free kick on the edge of the box but gardner saved easily. Doune should have equilised  on 35 minutes when in front of goal they shot wide, Eastvale up their game and pressed as the half came to a close and won a free kick, Martin's effort was scambled onto the bar by the keeper and was knocked home by Allan, as both teams moved towrds the centre circle the ref changed his mind and blew for offside.
Doune were un able to se the tone for the second half, as Eastvale played fast flowing aggressive football, which saw Mcleod pulled down outside the box. He the sent the free kick into the top to corner to give Eastvale a richly deserved second goal. Scobie, Mcleod and Thomson all had eforts on goal as Eastvale dominated the game, in the final 15 Minutes Doune pushed men forward and they were rewarded with a goal. Eastvale responded well, Martin denied by a last ditch clearance by the keeper. Thomson just failed to head a Beumont cross home, the same player crashed a shot against the post and the keeper somehow managed to keep out a superb Beaumont volley as Eastvale headed comfortably into round four.

09 September 2006

Glendale Plastics League

Eastvale 0-0 Rosyth Civil Service

A very tight hard fought point was earned by the Vale with a very de pleated squad. Cas our usual goalkeeper was called in to play right back, he settled in quickly and produced a fine performance. The game was pretty evenly matched with a number of chances for sides. Paul Martin got up early to beat the defender to a cross ball only to head over, just. Rosyth had chances also with the two strikers causing alot of problems for the defense. On one occasion, Scarborough beat a couple of men to be clean through only to be denied by a world class save from a world class keeper.
A point each was a fair reflection with Eastvale probably the happier against the much fancied Rosyth.

02 September 2006

Glendale Plastics League

Bowhill Rovers 1 v 3 Eastvale

After an uncertain start to the season, Eastvale were forced by injury to make changes as they traveled to face Bowhill.
Eastvale opened up the livelier team with Kerr and Wilson making life difficult for the Rovers defense. Wilson and Kerr both forced saves from the keeper and Martin also went close. It took good midfield play by Beaumont and Martin to find wilson on the edge of the box and he placed the ball superbly into the top corner. Bowhill tried to respond but the Vale defense where resolute and this set the platform for the midfield to dictate the game and good play by Kerr and Wilson set up Martin to drill the ball home from the edge of the box. Vale should have increased the lead towards the end of the half but could not find the touch.

Bowhill where the stronger team at the start of the half and Gardner was forced into a full stretch save. Kinnear was introduced at right midfield and contributed immediately with telling passes that set up a Beaumont that stretched the keeper. With 15 minutes left Bowhill scored from a corner. The Vale respond within two minutes, Halley made a darting run through midfield and was brought down on the edge of the box. Martin stepped up to curl the ball into the top corner to seal the game.