Vale suffered their worst home defeat in a few years at the hands of Glencairn at Millburn on Saturday. After a goalless first 45 minutes in which neither keeper hardly had a save to make, the visitors ripped Vale apart in the second period, scoring 4 goals with only 10 men.

After last weeks win at Thorniewood Vale boss Hugh Hamill recalled Brian Deeley for Ross Hunter with Wilson pushing further forward to join Ward in attack.

It took 15 minutes before either side had a shot at goal, Rogers poor clearance being lobbed back towards the empty Vale goal by McIntyre. Fortunately for Vale the ball bounced wide of the target.

The home side were having most of the possession but careless final passes led to them being caught on the break and only a timely last gasp block from Brown stopped “Glens” Ayton from opening the scoring after 28 minutes. After 35 minutes Wardle should have done better than finding the side netting from Deeley's swerving cross. 5 minutes from the break Brown slipped on the sodden surface and his mishit free kick was promptly cleared upfield where Rogers got down to stop Donaldson's low drive.

No goals at the interval hardly gave both sides supporters any inclination of what was in store for the second half. With just 8 minutes gone referee Mr Drummond awarded a soft penalty after Lacy and Hayes both went for a loose ball on the right hand side of the Vale area. The “Glens” player appeared to catch the Vale captain who went down and to everyone’s amazement the referee pointed to the spot before booking Lacy who had to go off for treatment to his injury. As justice was done when Ayton rattled the Vale crossbar from the spot kick play carried on and with Vale a man short they failed to clear the ball properly as the ball was worked from one side of the park to the other and AYTON was unmarked to fire the ball into the net. Before the match restarted the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Donaldson received his 2nd caution for talking out of turn.

On the hour mark Vale replaced the injured Lacy with an extra forward in Scott McKernan but within a minute it was the visitors who netted again. A Vale attack broke on the right and the visitors broke quickly for Ayton to cross to the unmarked HAYES who hooked the ball home from 8 yards.

4 minutes later HUGH WARD gave Vale hope when he pulled a goal back but that joy was short-lived as JARVIS looked well offside as he broke on the left to round Rogers to net from a tight angle.

The gray clouds overhead looked decidedly darker for Vale after 75 minutes when tricky substitute MARK MACKAY waltzed past 4 feeble challenges to net his 10th goal of the season.

Vale were by now devoid of any shape and the visitors again broke smartly down the right and when the ball was played into the box the unmarked substitute BRIAN McKAY volleyed home from 12 yards.

With 8 minutes remaining BRIAN WARDLE, who had earlier hit the bar with a shot, headed home from close range but it was of little consolation to a shell-shocked Vale side.

After a fairly even opening half Vale were completely torn to shreds by a lively “Glens” attack that threatened to score at will. Over the ninety minutes Vale will surely never have so many play so badly again, only man of the match Brian Wardle can come out of this game with any credit.

This week Vale are again at home when Lanark United visit Millburn on league duty, kick off 3pm.

Vale would like to thank club sponsor ALAN WRIGHT of the WRIGHT LEISURE GROUP for kiting the team out in their new strip for Saturday’s game.