John Hinshelwood's Match Report
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Maryhill v.
Vale of Leven
5 - 4
31st January 2009
5 - 4
31st January 2009
After another
thrilling encounter at
Lochburn, Maryhill fought
back from three goals down
at half time, to win the
match with a late and
controversial goal from
Roland Fabiani.
Maryhill's line up
featured a rare appearance
in goal from Mark Quinn, and
a start in midfield for new
signing Mark Connet.The
visitors, with a strong wind
at their backs, opened well,
and went ahead after only
four minutes. Mark Quinn
fumbled a cross from the
right, and Mark Pawsey was
on hand to head home. Vale,
using the wind well,
continued to dominate, and
increased their lead eight
minutes later. Once again
Pawsey was the marksman,
with a well flighted 20 yard
shot which left Quinn
stranded. It was all one way
traffic at this stage, with
Maryhill failing to provide
any threat whatsoever to the
Vale goal. It came as no
real surprise when the
visitors stretched their
advantage to three. Ryan
Russell's shot flew into the
net giving Quinn no chance.
Pawsey almost completed his
hat trick just before the
break, but his well struck
effort hit the post. After
their worst first half
performance of the season by
far, Maryhill were relieved
to hear the half time
whistle, and fortunate to be
only three goals behind.
Half Time Maryhill 0
Vale of Leven 3
The second half
could not have provided more
of a contrast, as Maryhill
attacked their opponents
straight from kick off. With
James McLernon and a
trialist defender replacing
Chris McKee and Donnie
Wilson, they tore through
the Vale defence with a
purpose lacking in the
opening 45 minutes. After
only two minutes McLernon
reduced the deficit direct
from a free kick. Six
Minutes later it was very
much "game on" when Willie
Sawyers fired home from Alan
McFadden's cross to make it
2 - 3.McLernon was really
making Hill tick, and he got
the equaliser with a fierce
shot after Vale keeper
Matthew Carr had brought off
two superb saves. Sawyers
then headed narrowly past,
before Carr made another
couple of amazing stops to
thwart Alan McFadden. It
looked as though more Hill
goals were bound to come
after incessant pressure,
but against the run of play,
Vale broke free and Alan
Gourlay put them 4 - 3
ahead. Substitute David
McNaught almost put them
further ahead, but after a
strong run, his shot came
back off the bar with Quinn
beaten. Maryhill came
storming back, however, and
forced a succession of
corners. Only some rash
finishing and more
outstanding saves from Carr
prevented further goals,
before the equaliser arrived
with thirteen minutes
remaining. Willie Sawyers
brilliantly made space for
himself on the byline, and
his accurate cross was
headed home by Mark Sideserf
for his first goal of the
season. Just as it was
looking as if a share of the
points would be the outcome,
this incredible match had
one final twist in store.
Two minutes from the end
Mark McManus' free kick was
blocked by Carr, but Roland
Fabiani forced the ball over
the line. Keeper Carr was
booked for his protests, as
was Vale defender Alex
Lacy. As Lacy had been
booked only a minute
earlier, he was also shown a
red card by referee Steven
McFaulds. The final whistle
sounded with Maryhill,
amazingly, registering their
second successive 5 -
4 victory, thus preserving
their unbeaten home record,
and keeping their promotion
aspirations very much
alive.
MARYHILL- Quinn,
Barr, Fabiani, McInnes,
Wilson (Trialist 45), Connet,
Sideserf (McManus 85),
Smith, McFadden,
McKee (McLernon 45),
Sawyers.
SUBS ( not used)-: Pacitti,
Currie
BOOKED-: None
VALE OF LEVEN-:
Carr, Cavana, Drain, Lacy,
Buchanan, Brown, Lees,
Russell ( Martin 83), Ward,
Gourlay ( McNaught 57),
Pawsey (McKenzie 71)
SUBS
( not used )-: Grant,
Wilson
BOOKED-: Russell (30),
Cavana (69), Lacy (87), Carr
(88)
SENT
OFF-: Lacy (89)
Scorers-:
Maryhill - McLernon (47,
58), Sawyers (53),
Sideserf (77), Fabiani
(88)
Vale of Leven - Pawsey
(4, 12), Russell (37),
Gourlay (63)
Man of the match -:
James McLernon
Referee-: Steven
McFaulds