Category: East of Scotland First Division

Vale of Leithen 5 Gala Fairydean Rovers 1

For the first time in a few months Vale were able to field an almost full strength team.

With good crowd in attendance, which included a healthy support for Gala, the game kicked off on a heavy surface.

Vale started the game well and were the prominent team in the early stages but were stunned in the 13 min when Gala scored with their first shot on goal. A Miller drive from outside the box beat Gilpin high to his left.

Vale were now under a bit of pressure but gradually got back into the game and equalised in the 30 min when Sean Stewart scored.

With Vale starting to gain control of the game Stewart scored again in the 44 min to give them a 2-1 half time lead.

HT 2-1

Vale started the second half as they finished the first and were rewarded in the 48 min when after some great work on the right by Stewart his cross into the six yard box, resulted in a goal mouth scramble that was eventually slotted home by Liall Smith.

Vale were now dictating the play with Stewart and Dawson creating all sorts of problems for the Gala defence.

This eventually led to Stewart setting up Dawson for two goals in the 60 and 75 mins.
Vale were unlucky not to add to their total and eventually ran out 5-1 winners.

FT 5-1

A good all round performance with no failures, but a special mention to Stewart and Dawson who gave the Gala defence a torrid afternoon.

Our match sponsor, Robert Headspeath of Advance Designs presented the Man of Match award to Sean Stewart.

Vale of Leithen 3 Whitehill Welfare 4

The pitch had an official inspection at 1000 and was declared playable.

Prior to kick off there was concern about the availability of players due to a serious car smash on the Edinburgh to Peebles road causing traffic diversions. With players and officials arriving right up until five minutes before kick off the game eventually got going roughly 5 minutes behind schedule.

Whitehill took the lead in the 9th min when Mitchell got free on the left wing and crossed into the box where McCraw was able to slide home from 8 yards.

The game was going from end to end, however in the 21st min some hesitancy in the Vale defence allowed Murray to rob the ball on the edge of the box and when advancing into the box was fouled resulting in a penalty. McPartlin scored from the kick to give Whitehill a 2-0 lead.

Vale responded two minutes later when after a poor clearance in the Whitehill penalty box left Dawson clear to slot the ball home.

Vale were starting to get on top and were reward in the 37th min when a back post knock down from a corner was headed home by Finnie to level the score.

Two minutes later Vale were unlucky not to take the lead when a thunderbolt from Kerr Allan cannoned of the crossbar.

HT 2-2

The second half was delayed after the Referee had noted the Whitehill Team Sheet was incorrect and appeared to be seeking guidance.

Eventually the game got underway again with both teams missing a series of chances before the Vale began to get the upper hand which resulted in an offside goal, a goal line clearance, a point save by the goalkeeper and a McBride header coming back of the post.

As in the case when you don’t put your chances away, Whitehill went up the park in the 67th min and a Wright cross was headed home by Nicholson to give them the lead again.

With Vale chasing the game Whitehill scored again in the 80 min when a Nicholson knockdown was knocked home by Mitchell.

Vale got themselves back in the game in the 85th min when Blaikie headed home from a corner.

Vale were then awarded free kick 20 yards out left of the goal, and from the resultant Kerr Allan kick the goalkeeper pulled of a  fantastic save to prevent the equalizer.

With the game heading to a conclusion an altercation at the corner flag between Whitehill sub Smith and Vale’s Finnie ended with both been shown the red card.

FT 3-4

Although not the result we wanted,  the entertainment value on the day was excellent and I’m sure the healthy attendance enjoyed the match.