Edinburgh University 4 Vale of Leithen 3

Edinburgh University 4 Vale of Leithen 3

An unbelievable game which might have been excellent entertainment for the home and neutral spectators, but can only be described as disastrous for the Vale team and their supporters.
The first half performance was well below par for the Vale and it was a surprise it took 32 mins before the Uni took the lead, when a cross from the left was knocked home by Baird.
The home team increased their lead in 41 mins when a poor free kick by Blaikie outside the Uni box broke to the unmarked Baird on the left who proceeded to run down the wing before cutting inside and slotting the ball past Gilpin for a 2-0 lead.
HT 2-0

Vale started the second half with Dixon and Ireland replacing Smith and Berry.
With an increase in tempo Vale started to take command of the game and were rewarded in 66 mins when a ball over the top was met by Stewart who bundled the ball home to make it 2-1.
With Vale in the ascendancy they equalised in 76 mins when after a blocked Stewart shot substitute Kerr Allan knocked home the equaliser.
In 82 mins a cross in the box was handled by a Uni defender and the subsequent penalty was hammered home by Stewart to give Vale the lead.
Instead of closing out the game, 3 mins from full time Vale were caught in possession on their right and the ball was dispatched to Yussuf who darted towards the box before he was upended by Blaikie. Although the infringement appeared to be on the edge of the box, the referee took guidance from the linesman and awarded a penalty which was converted by Daniels-Yeoman.
The disappointment of losing this equaliser was compounded in the 90 min when after again losing possession on the right a ball into the box was miss hit by Blaikie and the ball broke to Yussuf who scored the winner.
In injury time a long ball over the top was headed goalwards by Stewart and only a great safe by Davidson prevented an equaliser.
FT 4-3
Again the general opinion of followers of the Lowland League will be if you’re looking for goals and entertainment head to Vale games.
However, the goals against total is rising at an alarming rate and unless this is stopped Vale will be dragged into another relegation fight.