Category: East of Scotland First Division
Edinburgh University 1 Vale of Leithen 1
Vale fielded a strong side with new loan signing Knutsishvili leading the line.
The game was played on a grass surface that was in excellent condition despite the bad weather the area had been experiencing.
Vale started the game well, playing some nice football and had the upper hand during the early stages of the game.
Their play deserved a goal but several chances were not taken, and they were especially unlucky when a Sean Stewart shot came back of the inside of the post resulting in a melee in the six yard box before the ball being cleared of the line.
However, against the run of play in the 35 minute Jack Guthrie darted into the box and placed the ball passed Gilpin to give the University the lead.
This goal gave the University a lift and the Vale were under the cosh for the remaining minutes of the first half.
HT 1-0
Vale started the second half as they had started the first and were rewarded in the 47 minute when a ball launched by the Vale goalkeeper was missed by the University defence and Sean Stewart ran on to it before lobbing it over the oncoming goalkeeper.
The goal led to an entertaining second half with both teams chasing the winner, with the Vale having the majority of the play and best chances, and the University being dangerous on the break.
This was a good performance by the Vale, which again highlighted the fact that on a good surface they can play some attractive football, and can consider themselves unlucky not to have taken the three points.
The debut of Knutsishvili was also promising with his good link up play and powerful running.
FT 1-1
TRANSFER NEWS
Jay Stevens has been transferred to Spartans FC.
The club would like to thank Jay for his service over the last few years and wish him well with his new club.
Dachi Knutsishvili has joined Vale on a short term loan deal from Spartans FC.
Edinburgh University v Vale of Leithen 25 November 3pm Kick Off
Having beaten the University in their home game this season Vale will be hoping for a similar result on Saturday at Peffermill Park.
The University sit five points better off in the league than Vale, therefore making this game very important in Vale’s push to take them a way from the bottom end of the table.
The last couple weeks have been played at Victoria Park where the condition of the pitch has been detrimental in restricting Vale’s ability to play their passing game, and playing this Saturday on an artificial pitch should hopefully help them.
Vale of Leithen 2 Dalbeattie Star 3
Today’s game was again more about the pitch than standard of play.
With rain in the previous few days the pitch was heavy and started to deteriorate as soon as play commenced.
The Vale had the better of the early exchanges with the Star starting find their feet after 20 minutes. However, it was Vale who took the lead in the 26 minute Ainslie Hunter scored after a melee in the Star box.
Vale failed to hold the lead for very long and Tommy Muir equalised for Star in 30 minutes.
At this stage Star were beginning to press and were rewarded when some slack marking allowed Farrel O’Sullivan to score in the 40 minute.
HT 1-2
The second half continued as the first, with both teams struggling on the heavy surface.
Things got worse for Vale in 52 minute when Dean Brotherston increased Star’s lead when prodding home a cross.
The rest of the game was unspectacular with both teams battling to overcome the conditions.
Vale were awarded a penalty in injury time, which Kerr Allan hammered home.
A another worry for the Vale was the injury to Tommy Patterson, who he is just beginning to recover from a knee injury in the early part of the season.
FT 2-3
Man of the Match was Ainslie Hunter as selected by Match Sponsor, Currie Roofing.