Management thoughts on our Cup Semi with the Vale.

Posted on Friday, December 11th, 2009

Mike says –

“As I said earlier in the week, tomorrow Sam and I would have at least liked the chance of picking the same eleven who did so well for us last Saturday. By midweek however we realised that was never going to be a starter but then again Robbie Manson, Gavin Malin and Donal Henretty were always going to feature heavily in our thoughts when deciding on a starting line-up in the Image Printers semi final.

Although not definite, it looks like three of last weeks starters will miss out tomorrow with two substitutes who came on also unavailable. Danny O’Donnell and Stewart Fowlie both took sore ones and had to leave the park during last Saturdays win and haven’t been able to train this week. Dean Hoskins is nursing a very tight hamstring and although he did some light training last night it’s unlikely we’ll chance playing him or his two colleagues tomorrow.

Chris Smith who came off the bench and scored last week had to pull out of training on Tuesday with a groin problem and Luke Cassidy who also came off the bench against City is cup-tied.

As I say up top Robbie, Gavin and Donal will come back into the side and although Sam and I will have to shuffle the pack a bit we are confident we can put out a competitive side against very good opposition.

To bolster the squad we have pulled Gary Hamilton and Andrew Sinclair up from the Under 19’s. Both Gary and Sinky played for us in a midweek friendly a few weeks ago and as well as good back up for us it’s good experience for the youngsters to be involved with the first team. Phil McKibben is also taking a break from his study leave to make sure we have a full compliment tomorrow.

The Vale under Rab Paget are going really well and deserve our utmost respect. They beat us down at Innerleithen in a cup-tie late last season and I’ll be reminding our players of that before the kick-off. Maybe we have something to prove for a change.

Anyway the Vale are the only unbeaten league side in East of Scotland football this season and promotion is very much on the cards. They are scoring goals for fun with top scorer Aaron Somerville well supported by an attack minded team. When I entered EOS football in the early 90’s the Vale (and Gala) were pushing for the title each season and I’d like to see that happen again. Gala may have to wait a bit but if Rab can keep the present Vale team together I’m sure they be promoted at the end of the season and pushing the “big” boys next time round.

That’s all in the future and today we fight for the right to play Gretna or City in a Cup Final and Berwick or Livie in a semi. Anyone care to explain?”

Mike