Deveronvale shock Brora Rangers in Highland League with 3-2 win at Princess Royal Park
A derby victory and a 3-2 win over a title-chasing opponent - it’s been a perfect week for Deveronvale and manager Garry Wood.
Vale won 2-0 at The Haughs against Turriff United on Wednesday night - and back up that success with a stunning 3-2 victory against Brora Rangers at Princess Royal Park on Saturday.
Manager Garry Wood said that he was confident his side could do something against Brora, but admitted that most people had pencilled the visitors in for a win.
“I was delighted to get the three points,” he said. “Most people outwith the club were looking and thinking we would be trying to keep the score down.
“But after a tough shift on Wednesday, the guys gave everything, stuck to the game plan and the scoreline could have been more comfortable.”
Vale flew into a 2-0 lead on Saturday with Ben Hermiston firing in a double in the opening 18 minutes.
Brora pulled a goal back through Colin Williamson on 48 minutes - but the comeback that many expected didn’t arrive.
Vale restored their two-goal lead through Rogan Read before the hour mark and held on to win despite Shane Sutherland’s late strike for the Cattachs.
“The changing room was bouncing after the game,” Wood added. “The guys are delighted as they haven’t beaten Brora a lot.
“It’s good to get a win against a top side. It will give the guys confidence and belief. We have good young players at the club.”
“Take away the Buckie game - every other game we have been really competitive, and we have played a lot of the top teams.
“With the last two wins, the players are perhaps getting what they deserve.”
The win was Vale’s first against Brora in the Highland League since a 5-0 success in 2013.
In fact, before a 3-3 draw at Dudgeon Park last season, Vale had lost six games in a row to Brora with an aggregate score of 26-0.
This the fourth win of the campaign, meaning 11th-placed Vale are just one shy of the total from the entirity of last campaign.
A grounded Wood added: “We want to be looking up the table, but we know it only takes a few wins to close the gap below. We want to keep picking up results.”
Next up is the Scottish Cup. Lowland League Bo’ness United are the visitors to Princess Royal Park.
An up-and-down start to the season has seen United land in the middle of the table.
“We had them watched at the weekend so know their strengths and weaknesses and we will formulate a plan,” Wood said.
“I have a couple of ex teammates in the Lowland League that have played them this year so am getting information.
“It will be a difficult game, but it’s a chance to get through in the Scottish Cup and get the club some money.
“There is something special about Scottish Cup. Hopefully we can get a good turnout because attendances have been up this season.”
