An Anton Conway strike in the 90th minute saw the Ants run out 2-1 winners at Millburn Park and sees the Govan side still unbeaten in the league this season with 3 games gone. The first half was an even enough contest with the Ants possibly shading it. In a chance bereft of many chances, Duncan and Kelly tested Morrison in the Vale goal while Connolly had little to do as the home side failed to hit the target, shooting wide or over when the opportunities arose. The half looked to be ending goal-less but just before half time Duncan was barged over in the box as he jumped to head a high ball. The ref had no qualms pointing to the spot and WULLIE DUNCAN continued his great start to the season netting his 3rd in 2 games by slotting the penalty away giving Morrison no chance.
The second half was slightly better in terms of chances created and in the 61st minute the home side levelled when Morrison’s goal kick was headed into the path of MATTHEW DEVINE by Cowan, and the striker, who had only been on the pitch a full minute, having replaced Clark, made no mistake giving Connolly no chance with a well placed strike. The Vale were reduced to 10 men in the 71st minute when Cowan was shown a second yellow and the Ants almost capitalised straight away but Kimbala shot wide after a good pass from O’Hara. Morrison did well to save in a goal mouth scramble which saw 3 attempts at goal from the visitors but the ball wouldn’t find the net, and Kelly’s follow up shot from the stramash slid just wide. In the 85 minute the Ants were also reduced to ten men when Lennox was sent off for an off the ball incident. From the resultant free kick Vale of Leven almost took the lead but Monaghan’s free kick was well judged by Connolly even though it was heart in the mouth stuff as it hit the top of the bar after being left by the Ants custodian.
It looked like a point a piece until the 90th minute when Connolly’s free kick was only partially cleared to Neossi, he passed back to Crawford, who’s long diagonal found Kimbala, the debutant slipped the ball back to ANTON CONWAY and the big midfielder floated the ball past Morrison into the top corner to spark celebratory scenes by the Ants fans and management. An absolute peach of a goal, worthy of winning any match, and as it turned out, the goal which saw the Ants run out 2-1 winners.
