Vale of Leithen 6 Gretna FC 2008 1

Prior to the game Vale were reduced to a skeleton pool due to injuries and work commitments.
However, from the kick off it was clear that Vale had worked out that the Gretna backline were susceptible to a ball over the top or down the channels where the pace of Stewart and Rixon was creating constant problems for the Gretna defence.
Vale opened the scoring in the 14 min when Rixon broke through the Gretna defence and slotted home.
Vale increased the their lead in the 20 min when a similar move as the first goal was knocked home by Stewart.
Gretna did rally after this and were rewarded when Kelly hammered home a cross from the left in the 27 min to make it 2-1.
In the 39 min Vale were awarded a penalty when the Gretna goalie Atkinson bundled Stewart over. He was booked for this before Dickson fired the spot kick home.
Vale increased their lead in 41 mins where Berry scored after a good move.
HT 4-1
Bonnar had to be replaced at half time due to a hamstring injury and was replaced by Elliot.
The second half began as the first finished with Vale defending well and hitting with speed on the break. Gretna appeared to have no way of countering this approach and after another break into the box in 52 mins Stewart was upended again for the second penalty of the match. Dickson dispatched as the first to make it 5-1.
In the 60 min were awarded a soft penalty when Smith was adjudged to have fouled one of the Gretna forwards. However, justice was done when Gilpin saved Connelly’s spot kick.
Things got worse for Gretna in the 74 min when Stewart broke free and whilst rounding Atkinson, the goalie bundled him over for a third penalty, plus a second booking and sending off. The replacement goalie Waugh, first task was to pick the ball out of the net after Dickson had completed his hat trick.
Vale squandered a few chances to increase the lead prior to full time, but can be pleased with the overall performance.
FT 6-1
Man of the Match as chosen by the Match Sponsor, Drew Johnson was Ally Smith.
A great result for the team as we head into two very difficult games, East Stirlingshire away on Wednesday, followed by a home game against Kelty Hearts on Saturday.
Saturday’s game against Kelty will be a first visit to Victoria Park, and they tend to bring a big support with them, so hopefully we can get a good crowd behind us.

Oakley United 4 Vale of Leithen 3
The game was played in intermittent rain which made the surface very greasy.
However, the first half was mainly Oakley giving Vale no time on the ball and Vale struggled to get a grip of the game.
It was no surprise in the 17 minute when poor defending allowed Stevenson to put the home team ahead.
Things got worse in the 30 minutes when McAteer made it 2-0 for Oakley.
The first half finished with Vale still under pressure.
HT 2-0
Vale appeared revitalised after the break and Berry pulled a goal back in the 50 min when he broke free and slotted the ball home.
With Vale in the ascendancy they suffered a piece of bad luck in 75 min when Elliot slipped on the half way line allowing McAteer to race through and put the ball past Gilpin to make it 3-1.
Vale replied immediately when Stewart headed him in the 76 min to make it 3-2.
With Vale chasing the equaliser the Oakley substitute broke free in 78 min on the right from what looked like an offside position and placed a controlled shot into the Vale net.
Vale never gave up and were rewarded in the 83 min when McBride hammered home from close range.
The game ended with Vale still on the offensive and a few half chances were squandered.
FT 4-3
A bad result where it became obvious that these ex juniors will not allow you the time and space to play football, but all credit to Oakley who worked hard for their victory.