Rossvale denied win by late Beith goal in first senior outing

Rossvale came within a couple of minutes of getting life as a senior club off to a winning start against North Ayrshire giants Beith on Saturday.
James Finlay celebrates after scoring the historic first Rossvale goal in senior football (pic: Adrian Foster-Western)James Finlay celebrates after scoring the historic first Rossvale goal in senior football (pic: Adrian Foster-Western)
James Finlay celebrates after scoring the historic first Rossvale goal in senior football (pic: Adrian Foster-Western)

David Gormley’s side looked to be on their way to three points in their first game in the new West of Scotland League at Bellsdale Park.

But with just two minutes to play, former Kirkintilloch Rob Roy striker Kevin Watt grabbed an equaliser to cancel out James Finlay’s 57th minute opener.

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Boss Gormley admitted that losing a goal so late meant the draw felt like a defeat, but he insisted there were plenty of positives for his new-look side to take from the game.

Vale took the lead when a loose ball broke to Lee Roulston, who knocked it over Beith keeper Dale Burgess for Finlay to follow in and fire into an empty net.

But Beith rescued a point when Watt headed home Steven Noble’s cross.

Gormley said: “We played really well, and it was disappointing to lose a goal in the 87th minute.

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“It was frustrating, and when we walked off the park, it felt like a defeat, but we’d just gone to one of the contenders for the league and got a point.

“When you reflect back on the game, it’s a good point to get, but when you look back on the performance and the chances that we missed, that was the frustrating part.

“But for me, it was good that we were in the positions to get the chances.

“We didn’t score enough, but I’m happy enough.

“It’s a very new squad and we had three boys making their debut, so for me it’s a learning curve and it takes us on to next week.”

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Gormley admitted that after the trials and tribulations of their covid-induced absence, there was a real thrill about simply being back in competitive action.

“Absolutely,” he said. “The Saturday morning buzz and butterflies were back. I said to the boys that I’m retired now but would take anything to be back here playing today.

“It’s also probably one of the first times, apart from the first game, that I’ve had the butterflies as a manager because yesterday was my team. Every player on the park I signed or kept on from last season.

“When we took over, we had the players that were there, so there was a bit of pride for me. I said that to the guys and they responded.

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“It’s early stages for the squad and in the league and if we get the same performances and we can finish off by putting the ball in the net, we’ll not be far away.”

This Saturday, Vale are to home to Irvine Meadow.

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