Category: East of Scotland First Division

Vale of Leithen 0 Kelty Hearts 4

Vale of Leithen 0 Kelty Hearts 4

Back down to earth with a bump today, well beaten by a better team on the day.
Vale were hit with a problem during warm up when Hunter hurt his back and had to be replaced by Currie.
Vale started the game brightly and were giving as good as they were taking. However, gradually Kelty were taking control and Vale were finding it very hard to keep possession. Kelty were closing down very fast and their strength and air advantage was becoming apparent.
Kelty’s first goal arrived in the 25 min when a corner on the right was headed home by Carstairs.
Vale only chance of the game arrived when after a good move a Stewart shot narrowly missed in 28 mins.
It was 2-0 in the 30 min when some slack defending on the left allowed a cross into the box were a Cargill slotted home.Half time arrived with a Kelty on the ascendancy with Vale lucky to be going in only 2-0 down

HT 2-0

Any chance of a comeback in the second half was finished in the 50 min when Smith bundled over the attacking player in the box and a Husband knocked home the penalty.
Kelty missed a few good chances before finally completing the scoring in the 75 min when Gay tap in a cross to make it 4-0.
Overall a poor performance from the Vale, but take nothing away from Kelty who were an excellent side.

FT 0-4
Luxury Lawn Man of the Match was Craig McBride.

East Stirlingshire 2 Vale of Leithen 3

East Stirlingshire 2 Vale of Leithen 3

Another fantastic result for the Vale and only some great saves from the home goalie stopped it from being more.
Vale started the game in a similar fashion to Saturday with solid defending and the speed of the front two, Stewart and Rixon, giving the home backline problems.
In the 5 min a cross ball found Stewart on the end of the box, although it was a close decision on whether it was slightly offside, Stewart controlled the ball and hammered an unstoppable shot passed Barclay.
With the home side stunned by the first goal, they found themselves 2-0 down in 15 min when after some bad defending from a corner, Stewart hit another powerful shot past Barclay.
Vale were coming under a bit of pressure but were defending well and looking comfortable.
However, in 42 mins the home side pulled one back when after a very soft free kick outside the box, the resultant kick was headed home by Rogers.
HT 1-2

Vale started brightly after the break and were rewarded in the 50 min when after some good play Stewart made his way into the box and slotted home for his hat trick.
With the home side on the offensive, Vale had a few great chances to finish the game and only some poor finishing and three excellent saves from Barclay stopped them increasing their lead.
With Vale looking comfortable, the game changed in the 78 min when East Stirlingshire were awarded a penalty when Elliott was adjudged to have fouled a home forward. A shocking decision, which resulted in Rogers placing the ball past Gilpin.
The last 10 minutes were edgy with Vale under pressure, however they held out for a really deserved victory.
FT 2-3

Two great victories in a row, and good to see some supporters from Innerleithen there tonight.
Hopefully we will have a good crowd on Saturday to back the boys, as it’s expected that Kelty Hearts will bring a big crowd through from Fife.
KEEP FAITH