Category: East of Scotland First Division
Gretna 2008 3 Vale of Leithen 2
Gretna 2008 3 Vale of Leithen 2
The Scottish Cup adventure ended in the first round in a scrappy game where Vale ended the game with 9 men and their assistant manager also sent off.
Vale started the game with a strong team which had Stewart and Rixon up front and were rewarded in the 16 min when Stewart broke through and put the ball past the Gretna keeper.
Five minutes later should have been two ahead when a through ball was picked up by Rixon who shot narrowly by the post.
The Vale were struggling to retain possession and Gretna took advantage of it in the 28 min when after some slack play on the edge of box allowed Gradison to fire in the equaliser from 20 yards.
Gretna were now beginning to take control and took the lead in 37 mins when Smith was allowed space on the right wing to cross into the six yard box where Kelly tapped home.
One area of concern during the first half was handing out of yellow cards for minor fouls.
HT 2-1
The second half was only one minute old when a cross into the Gretna box was header back by Stewart to Bonnar who tap it home for the equaliser.
During the next 20 mins it was Vale who looked the more likely to regain the lead.
However, in the 71 min after giving away needless corner, the resultant corner was head home by Kelly.
With Vale chasing the game and pushing more men forward, they were hit with a double sending off in the 83 min. Hunter who was harshly booked in the first half received a second yellow for bringing down an attacking player. Bonnar who was complaining about the sending off was also then given a straight red. Shortly after, John Brogan, the assistant manager was sent to the stand also for complaining.
Vale spent the last five minutes hammering at the Gretna defence and were nearly rewarded twice when they struck a post and a McBride shot went inches past the post.
Gretna had a chance to score a fourth when with Gilpin up the park for a final corner, the ball was cleared and the Gretna forward was left with an open goal, but instead of shooting he decided to try and carry the ball towards the goal before falling over and allowing the trailing defenders to clear.
FT 3-2
Overall a draw would have been a fair result, as neither team performed well on the day, however now Vale can concentrate on league business starting with an away match to Stirling University next Saturday.
Vale of Leithen 2 Jeanfieold Swifts 4
Vale of Leithen 2 Jeanfield Swifts 4
The Vale started this Challenge Cup tie with a depleted team due to injuries and the resting of some players with next week’s Scottish Cup Tie against Gretna in mind.
Starting for the first time was new signing Liam Ireland and he made his mark in the 18 min when he tapped home a Smith cross from the right to give Vale the lead.
The first half was fairly even and it was no surprise when the Swifts equalised in the 29 min when Whitehead headed home from a corner.
HT 1-1
The second half was only 3 mins old when a ball over the top was slotted home by Allan only to have it disallowed for offside, a close decision.
Swifts took the lead in 62 mins when a ball through the Vale defence was picked up by Davis who drilled it past Gilpin.
Vale made immediate substitutes with Rixon and top scorer Sean Stewart to chase an equaliser.
However, it was the Swifts who scored when again a through ball was picked up by McLaren and slotted home.
Vale pressure was rewarded in the 83 min when after a melee in the box from a corner the referee adjudged an infringement and awarded a penalty to Vale. Wilson made no mistake from the kick to make it 3-2.
With Vale pushing McBride into an advanced position looking for an equaliser Swifts broke up the park and were awarded a penalty when one of their forwards was upended in the box. Gilpin saved Holden’s penalty, however he scored with the rebound.
FT 2-4
Saffron Restaurant sponsors Match of the Match was James Elliot.
All the best to Swifts in the next round.
