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Scottish Football has suffered a tragic loss as Phil O'Donnell
collapsed moments before he was due to be substituted during
Motherwell's SPL game against Dundee United at Fir Park yesterday.
After receiving medical attention for some five minutes on
the pitch, he was rushed to Wishaw General Hospital, where
he was pronounced dead at 5.18pm. The exact cause of death
is still to be determined, but it's beleived he suffered a
seizure. Following some pre-season friendlies in recent years,
Vale have forged an excellent relationship with Motherwell,
which recently led to one of their players, full-back Stephen
Wishart, joining Vale on loan until the end of this season.
The former Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday player appeared
at Victoria Park back in July this year, playing for 70 minutes
of the 1-1 draw between Vale and a young 'Well side, and afterwards
was more than happy to chat and sign autographs for all who
consider him a hero for his exploits in football. Phil influence
was great amongst the younger players at the Lanarkshire club,
earning him the nickname 'Uncle Phil' in the dressing room.
He leaves a wife and four children.
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Picture courtesy of www.motherwellfc.co.uk |
Vale failed to round off 2007 with a victory, but can have few
complaints about the outcome. The Innerleithen men enjoyed the
lions share of possession, but didn't do anything with it, while
Heriot-Watt created better chances and could have scored more
than two. The students took the lead in the 24th minute, as
Lee Manderson got on the end of a Luke Cassidy cross to knock
the ball home. The first 45 didn't exactly set the pulse racing,
but it was a different story after the break as the pace increased
and play swung from end to end. Aaron Somerville and Greig Shortreed
both went close for Vale, while Watt's Manderson hit the bar
and Gilbert Patterson saw Mark Wilson pull off a fantastic point-blank
stop from his effort. A Cassidy shot was cleared off the line
by Vale player-manager Robbie Clark, while a header from Vale
sub Mike MacKale squirmed from the grasp of Watt keeper David
Livie, but no Vale player was there to take advantage. Despite
looking like scoring, Vale were hit by a sucker punch three
minutes from time as a shot was only half-blocked by Lewis Montgomery
and Banji Koya pounced on the ball to fire home. Vale did score
in the last minute as Greig Shortreed dived bravely to head
home a MacKale free kick, but Watt kept their heads and possession
of the ball to run down the clock.
Vale of Leithen: Mark Wilson; Stephen Wishart, Ross McManus,
Robbie Clark, Campbell Forsyth, Scott Johnston (Ron Fleming
56), Colin Smith, Ryan McManus (Lewis Montgomery 69), Aaron
Somerville, Greig Shortreed, Peter Shearlaw (Mike MacKale 69).
Heriot-Watt University: David Livie; Scott Sutherland, Jimmy
Rae, Frazer Paterson, Stewart Cairns, Alan Mitchell, Jamie Brown
(Banji Koya 81), Oliver Antoni, Luke Cassidy, Lee Manderson,
Gilbert Patterson. |
It was a share of the points in dreadful weather conditions
at Victoria Park. The home side took the lead after quarter
of an hour, thanks to a bit of indecision from John Gilbertson.
The Tynecastle keeper dithered over a clearance and when he
was eventually forced to, it fell at the feet of Vale midfielder
Colin Smith 40 yards out, who shot home over the stranded
number one. A minute later the lead was doubled as a Ryan
McManus cross was swept into the net by Mike MacKale. Tynecastle
had an opportunity to get back into the match when they were
awarded a penalty following a crude challenge on Dino Vita
by Vale keeper Mark Wilson. But an unconvincing spot kick
from David Keogh was parried away by Wilson. The visitors
did find the net six minutes into the second half when Michael
Bremner latched on to a long ball forward and ran on to score.
Bremner was clearly in an offside position when the pass had
been made, but it was the first of many poor decisions by
the referee, who sent off Vale's Ray Fleming for dissent in
the 55th minute. Tynecastle equalised in the 77th minute,
when Robbie Arthur smashed home after a good run, but their
joy was short-lived as Gary Cherrie was sent packing for his
second bookable offence. Further yellow cards followed as
the match official appeared to lose control of proceedings
and the game, played in near-constant sleet, degenerated into
little more than a muddy battle. Right at the death, Vita
could have won it for Tynecastle, but pulled his shot wide
from a good position.
Vale of Leithen: Mark Wilson; Ryan McManus, Ross McManus,
Robbie Clark, Campbell Forsyth, Scott Johnston, Colin Smith,
Raymond Fleming, Mike MacKale (Greig Shortreed 59), Aaron
Somerville, Mel Graham (Lewis Montgomery 69).
Tynecastle: John Gilbertson; Darren Aird, Ruaridh Scott, Steven
Sives, Gary Lothian (Dean Summers 69), David Keogh, Stephen
McKenzie (Robbie Arthur 46), Gary Cherrie, Michael Bremner
(Ross Allum 55), Dino Vita, Steven McCormack.
Referee: Michael Scott
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Sad Vale slumped out of the Image Printers Cup with a display
that got what it deserved. Easthouses took the lead in the
9th minute when Steven Whiteford was dispossessed just outside
the area by Stuart Love and his cross found Kenny McMillan,
who headed past the exposed Mark Wilson. Lily were forced
to make a change in the 24th minute when keeper John Falconer
was forced off with a leg injury, but this hardly weakened
them as regular keeper Craig Weir was on the bench to take
his place. Vale created chances during the first half, but
efforts from Lewis Montgomery, Aaron Somerville and Mel Graham
were well off target, while Ray Fleming got into a couple
of good positions, but shot straight at Weir each time. Scott
Borthwick increased Easthouses lead in the 38th minute, chipping
the ball home over Wilson's after McMillan's pass put him
through. McMillan got his second in the 54th minute as he
got on the end of another cross, this time Ross Gaylor's.
Wilson got his fingertips to it, but the ball sneaked in under
the cross bar. Six minutes later, Easthouses were awarded
a penalty when Vale's Campbell Forsyth clipped Love as he
rounded the defender in the area. Love took a decent enough
penalty, but it was clawed away by Wilson. Easthouses obviously
cared about preserving their lead as two players were cautioned
for arguimg with each other over a minor defensive incident.
The fourth goal did arrive in 77 minutes, with the by now
familiar sight of a cross being headed in. This time the cross
was provided by Borthwick and the head on the end of it belonged
to Lily substitute Brian McEwan. The visitors progress to
a third round meeting with either Edinburgh City or Edinburgh
University, while Vale will aim for a much better showing
in next week's league game against Tynecatle.
Vale of Leithen: Mark Wilson; Lewis Montgomery (Ryan McManus
h-t), Steven Whiteford (Robbie Clark 55), Ross McManus, Campbell
Forsyth, Scott Johnston, Colin Smith, Ray Fleming, Mike MacKale,
Aaron Somerville, Mel Graham (Peter Shearlaw 72).
Easthouses Lily: John Falconer (Craig Weir 24); William Kidd,
David Edgar, Darren McGlashan, Craig Gow, Neil Ferry, Ross
Gaylor, Scott Borthwick, Stuart Love (Brian McEwan 72), Kenny
McMillan (John Hunter 72), Ross Cameron.
Referee: John McMurray
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