Eastvale Amatuer Football Club

A mouthwatering tie was in prospect as the cup holders Eastvale faced a difficult away trip to Table Topping Rosyth in the first round of the Scottish Brewers Cup.

With a fair breeze at their backs in the first half, Eastvale went about their business in a determined manner and this week it all clicked into place. Half way through the first half a dangerous cross in from McLiesh was headed out by Rosyth to the feet of Jamie Allan who calmly chipped the on rushing keeper to put the holders up one nil.
Eastvale kept the pressure on and chances fell to Andy Kirk and Wardy who couldn’t increase the tally after some determined defending by Rosyth.
Halftime Rosyth 0 Eastvale 1

In recent weeks Eastvale have fallen at the last hurdle in the second half. But this week they kept there shape and dug in. Vale brought on Jordan and Mike Laing and when Dave O’Neil was taken off, young Danny got another chance. Some great inter play by the three subs saw a superb chance open up for Wardy who, caught in two minds when the ball was whipped in from the right, skied the ball over the bar.
With 15 to go it was all hands to the pumps, backs to the wall stuff as Rosyth pushed for the equaliser. A cross from the right was met by the Rosyth attacker whose header cannoned of the underside of the bar the second attempt was heading for the top corner but for some reaction goalkeeping from Gardner managing to clear the danger.
Eastvale held firm and finished 1-0 winners who over the piece should have won more comfortably than they did. The holders have defended their trophy and face Cupar away in the second round next week.

Eastvale travelled to the typically well maintained but shortened Duffus Park at the weekend and it was The Vale who started off this game meaning business, putting Cupar under intense pressure from the kick off.
Chance after chance came throughout the first period and it was after indecision from the Cupar keeper that Wardy stole the ball from his feet and tucked away into an empty net for the opener. Eastvale believed the game was there for the winning so continued in the same vain. Despite Vale’s early pressure Cupar themselves started applying pressure on Eastvale defense and after a well delivered corner the ref blew for what appeared to be obstruction on Gardner. To everyone’s surprise the ref awarded a penalty to Cupar after it was deemed the keeper held the Cupar player, (Only the ref knows about that one). The penalty was dispatched well by Cupar’s Striker.
Eck Douglas was carried off after midway through the first half after a disgraceful late challenge by the Cupar number 8 which the ref let go unpunished. Eck was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured ankle. This made way for Andy Kirk to join the game.
The heart seemed to go out of Vale as every bookable challenge was waved play on.
Half time Cupar 1 Eastvale 1
Cupar started the second half well and started to play the ball around well. Eastvale began to lose their shape a little and it was only a matter of time before Cupar struck again. Corner after corner was fired in and after a “stramash” in the box, Eastvale couldn’t clear their lines and Cupar went 2-1 up.
Jordan Grubb and Keiron Marsh were brought on to put some bite in midfield. Eastvale saw their chance and went for it, but today they never got the rub of the green and Cupar finished 2-1 winners who until the shocking penalty decision never looked in command.
It’s a funny old game!!!

Club Update

This pre-season has seen a lot of activity at the Windygates club. Jimmy Mitchell has once again assumed command of the team along with Kenny Haley and their coaching team. Bobby Wardlaw has joined the coaching team this season. Several players have chosen to move on and we wish them the very best for the future. We have added to the squad by signing some young players from local youth teams as well as a couple of more experienced players.

Dale Gardner has taken over from Larry Monoghan as chairman this season. We would like to thank Larry for all his hard work over the years and hope he enjoys his more leisurely position at the club. Dale stepped down as manager after 13 years. Dales first job in his new role was to invite Moir Ferguson and Stevie Welch onto the committee.

On a very hot and muggy day in Windygates, Scotia started the game well with Ex Eastvale player Neil Sellers making a great run down the right and if it wasn’t for a great reaction save by Gardner in goals they would have taken an early lead.
Vale settled and chance after chance came but it took a 20 yarder from Jamie Allan to break the deadlock. Vale continued with the pressure and after another lung busting run from Willie Kerr, his cross was turned in by a scotia defender after a communication break-down between himself and the goalkeeper. Half time 2-0.

Scotia started the second half as they started the first but this time it paid off and scotia pulled one back after some lame defending out wide allowed a fine cross pass to be easily converted. Vale never sat back after this set back and kept pushing, another crossed ball found Wardy six yards out to header home. As the heat intensived, players started to flag. Scotia kept going and there efforts pulled back another one again after some poor defending set up a perfect chance for the Scotia player to slide the ball under the advancing Gardner. As Vale continued there bombardment of the scotia goal, Callum Connolly got his first league goal of the season. 4-2 Eastvale, vale brought on Jordan Grubb and Mike Laing to freshen things up. The game was held up for 5 minutes as Steve Beaumont was carried off after a bad knee twist, this made way for young Danny to make an impressive debut for Eastvale. The game just played its self out and thats how it finished.
Good news was Beau walked away after a shower and good rub down.

Next few fixtures:

Fixtures 19/9/09
Glendale plastics league

• Balgonie scotia v Kettle united
• Burntisland shipyard v Bowhill rovers
• Cupar hearts v Eastvale
• Fair city v Lumphinnans united
• Inverkeithing/swifts v Kinross afc
• Leven united v Star hearts
• Strathmiglo united v Rosyth civil service

Fixtures 26/9/09
Scottish brewers cup 1st rnd

• Balgonie scotia v Inverkeithing /swifts
• Bowhill rovers v Cupar hearts
• Kettle united v Star hearts
• Rosyth civil service v Eastvale
• Strathmiglo united v Lumphinnans united

Glendale Plastics League

• Burntisland shipyard v Leven United

North/Tay Cup 1st rnd

• Fair city v Fairfield
• Kinross v Wolfhill

All 2.00ko

Eastvale’s Annual Sportsmen’s Dinner will be held at Buckhaven community centre at 6.30 for 6.45pm on the 14th of November. This years speakers will include Jimmy Nicholl: Soccer Legend, Scot Glynn: Commedian and chairman on the night John McKelvie. Tickets are £25; if interested contact a committee member soon!

Any players or committee members interested in attending the Golf outing at Carlton Golf Course on Sunday the 20th of September please make sure your name is included on the list.

Forthcoming Fixtures:

• 19.9 league Match away to Cupar
• 26.9 Scottish Brewers Cup 1st round away to Rosyth
• 3.10 Scottish Brewers Cup 2nd Round Rosyth/Eastvale away to Cupar/Bowhill
• 10.10 to be advised
• 17.10 Scottish cup at home to Lomond Vics
• 24.10 Fife cup away to bowhill

This weekends League match against Balgonie Scotia has been postponed due to the relentless wet weather we have had over the past few days.
The team will train at windygates on Saturday lunchtime to prepare for next weeks match. Still to be arranged…