Vale of Leven booked a glamour Challenge Cup clash with Lowland League big-guns Spartans, after sweeping aside in-form Thorniewood at Millburn.
Callum Richardson’s brace and Martin Connolly’s header from Richardson’s corner secured cup progress for Brian Brown’s side, against a Thorniewood side who finished with eight men.
And the Vale gaffer said the only negative was that his side’s season is coming to an end, right as his young team start to gel.
Brian told the Lennox: “Right from the off we were out the traps really quickly and didn’t give Thorniewood a chance to settle properly into the game.
“It was another really good performance. It’s just a shame we’re running out of games because it does look like we’re really starting to click now as a team.
“It bodes well for next season though. It’s a real positive to see how the younger guys are playing.
“Thorniewood are an experienced team and our guys are now starting to hold their own.
“It’s disappointing that the season is finishing now, but there are some really positive things ahead for next season.
“If you look at the teams we’ve played over the last wee while there have been plenty of positive results and positive performances.
“If we can manage to keep those guys together heading into next season then it would be really positive.”
Vale took the lead after 38 minutes of a fiercely contested first-half.
Martin Connolly rounded Thorniewood keeper Craig Smith, only to see defender Ross Gillan block his netbound effort with his hand.
Referee Ross Clark pointed straight to the spot, with Gillan sent-off and Callum Richardson driving home from 12 yards.
It was 2-0 in 62 minutes as nobody could deny Connolly getting on the scoresheet, as the wing-back bulleted home a header from Callum Richardson corner.
And after Thorniewood had seen Dillon McLauchlan and Ciaran Reilly both dismissed, Richardson added a third to seal the win in injury time - taking his tally for the season to 11, and earning praise from his boss.
Gaffer Brown added: “Callum has taken the penalty under a severe bit of pressure and put that away quite comfortably.
“The rest of his play was really good as well. Him and Antony Pilkington seem to be striking up quite a partnership. That bodes well ahead of next season.
“We’ve got two clean sheets back-to-back as well. After losing six goals at Glasgow Perthshire we were asking what was going on.
“Moving Lewis King into defence has made a difference and big Nathan (Wylie) has been exceptionally good in goals. It’s really positive.
“The boys are on a real high now ahead of the Spartans game.”
