| Strathclyde Cup 3rd Round | |
| 25th March 2006 Barlia Sports Complex |
|
| Windlaw | 4 |
| McCaig(2),Carey,McCann | |
| Vale United | 3 |
Action Details
The home side make one change following last week's disappointment at Airdrie with Wullie Thornton replacing Martin Docherty who is joined on the bench by the returning duo of Nugent and Herbison. Windlaw take a deserved lead on 25 minutes after Benny Carey does well to hook a ball back from the touchline and Kevin McCann's header is spilled by the Vale keeper to Eck McCaig who taps home the rebound from 4 yards for his 15th goal of the season. Vale continue to threaten especially from corners and long throws where their height superiority causes the Windlaw defence problems. Windlaw however hold on until half-time and perhaps feel that on the balance of play, they may have had one or two more goals.
Half Time: Windlaw 1 Vale United 0
Disaster for Windlaw inside 90 seconds of the restart, when a superb Vale free-kick arches dangerously into the Windlaw box where Vale's Brian Smith eludes his marker Shug Neeson and flicks a fine header high past John Lunny. Vale take a boost from this and go in front soon after, following a break from their own penalty box. As Windlaw fail to return the ball into the penalty box, possession is lost and the ball is played up to a Vale forward as they launch a two on one break. As they drive into the Windlaw half, a superbly weighted pass into the stride of one of their breaking midfielders sees him finish brilliantly past John Lunny for a 2-1 lead. Windlaw though, with plenty of time left, refuse to buckle and Man Of The Match Kevin McCann comes to the party big style. Firstly, he creates the equaliser when he finds McCaig in space, who squares to Benny Carey for a simple finish from the edge of the box. Next up, he again finds Eck McCaig with a brilliant angled pass who beats the Vale offside trap and the keeper to the ball to flick into the unguarded net. A Vale player is then red carded for his second yellow for protesting too vehemently at this goal. Windlaw looked to have sealed it with 10 minutes remaining when McCann again beats the offside trap himself and evades a dangerous looking tackle to break free of the Vale defence before coolly slotting past the onrushing keeper. With two minutes remaining, a defiant Vale grab a third following a superb save by Lunny onto his left hand post, the ball is crossed low to the near post where big Brian Smith again finishes well ahead of a static Windlaw defence. Windlaw hold firm to secure a good victory.
Full Time: Windlaw 4 Vale United 3
Summing Up - An enthralling, bruising cup-tie that Windlaw just deserved to sneak. From 2-1 down, they played well and were inspired by Kevin McCann. A late onslaught by 10 man Vale almost took the tie to penalties. A word for Vale's frontman Brian Smith who came through a physically tough battle with great credit and looks a fantastic player, certainly among the best in our league at the moment.
