Callum Smith signed off in style by scoring the goals that secured survival for Vale of Leven.
The frontman’s superb hat-trick against East Kilbride ensured the Vale’s place in West of Scotland League Division Three for another season, with Smith now heading down under for a new life in Australia.
And boss Brian Brown paid tribute to the departing forward for ensuring a happy end to his most challenging season as a manager.
Brian said: “I don’t know whether I enjoyed it or if it was just a complete relief.
“East Kilbride ran us very close. They had a decent shout for a penalty and gave us a real headache.
“We weathered that like we have been doing since the turn of the year and managed to hit them with three really good goals from big Callum.
“It was a good way for him to sign off, he’s away to Australia on the back of a hat-trick and a red card for celebrating. Which is quite a way to mark your last game.
“Callum came up through our U21s and has been at the club for a while. He’s a smashing boy and it was excellent to see him getting a hat-trick.
“He’s really well liked and I’m sure he’ll be missed. He took all three of his goals brilliantly.”
A hectic campaign has seen the Vale battle an injury crisis and player availability issues - with no fewer than seven goalkeepers featuring over the course of the campaign.
The Vale looked certainties for relegation at the turn of the year, before a sensational run of form saw the Millburn side win nine of their remaining 16 games.
Key to that revival has been the signing of forward Ryan Hynes and goalkeeper Craig Rowan - who saved in a penalty in Wednesday night’s vital clash with EK.
Brian explained: “At the start of the season we were struggling to put the ball in the net.
“But to be fair to some of the boys who were having to play there, we were having to plug gaps by putting midfielders up top.
“Signing Ryan Hynes has been massive for us. Wee Greg Thackrey stepping up from the U20s has caused defences issues everywhere he’s gone.
“And big Callum has stepped up with a hat-trick and the winner at Newmains. That’s won us some points.
“Bringing in Graeme Ramage and Andy Campbell has helped us greatly. Those guys have played a big role in helping us turn the corner.
“Craig Rowan has made a big impact in goals. We’ve struggled all season for a full-time goalkeeper. We had seven. Some people probably run football teams all their life and don’t have seven goalkeepers, let alone that many in one season!
“All of the guys have pushed us over the line.
“Craig saved a penalty at 2-0 that would’ve turned the game at a time where EK were coming onto us a fair bit.
“The big man is still young, but he’ll progress into a really good goalkeeper. He’s definitely one for the future.”
And he’s now determined to take the strong end to the season into the new campaign - which will kick off in July.
“I definitely don’t want to be going through a relegation battle again” added Brian.
“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in football. I don’t want to be doing that again.
“You learn more about yourself when you’re losing games than you do when you’re winning games. It’s certainly helped me in the long run, and it’ll do the same for the boys who know they can dig themselves out of holes now.
“Hopefully we won’t find ourselves in as deep a hole next season.
“We’ve had the hard slog so a bit of success wouldn’t go amiss.”
