The manager selected a team which showed several changes from last weeks win, which included Sean Stewart and Kerr Allan on the bench.
The game commenced with Dawson as a lone striker as Vale had set up defensively to try and contain BSC.
However, BSC came firing out of the starting blocks and had the Vale on the receiving end of waves of attacks for the first 10 minutes, in which they struck the post twice.
Gradually as the game wore on the Vale were beginning to frustrate BSC with some resolute defending.
BSC had McStay and Murray running the midfield but were still struggling to breach the Vale defence, although in the 30 minute a free kirk from McStay was parried by Gilpin and Grehan followed up to net, only to be give offside.
Vale’s Scott-Mercer took a bad knee knock in the 36 minute and it looked bad for a while. However, after some treatment he was able to continue.
With it looking like the Vale could hold out until Half Time, they were finally beaten from the penalty spot in the 40 minute.
As McNab darted into the box he tackled and went over, and much to the disgust of the Vale defence the referee pointed to the spot. Ally Smith was booked for dissent.
Andy Smith converted the spot kick.
HT 1-0
Vale brought on Sean Stewart for the second half and immediately his running was starting to create some problems for the BSC defence.
BSC had the ball in the net in the 55 minute but Grehan was again ruled offsite.
In the 60 minute Stewart broke clear and only some good goalkeeping from Barr prevented an equaliser.
BSC scored again in the 69 minute when Duncan hit home, with the Vale defence claiming offside.
He was immediately replaced by Redpath, who with almost his first touch cracked the Vale bar.
The game was played out with BSC continuing to dictate with Vale hitting on the break.
FT 2-0
A decent performance from the team against a side littered with skill and experience. Still think BSC are the best team we have played this season and this year’s title will go to the wire.

BSC will provide the next opposition in our quest to move up the league. Hopefully we can take confidence from our recent winning streak to give them a game of it. There is no hiding the fact that they are an excellent team, which is confirmed by them being second top of the league. Earlier in the season they beat us 4-0 at Victoria Park and really finished the game by scoring two goals in the first three minutes. They have a wealth of experience throughout their team with a potent strike force.

Vale of Leithen 3 Stirling University 2
A pitch inspection was carried out at 9.30am, where the pitch was deemed as playable.
At time of kick off the pitch can only be described as very heavy with a strong wind beginning to surface.
The University won the toss and decided to play the first half with the wind.
It was obvious from the kick off that the wind was going to be a major factor in the outcome of the game.
The first half was totally dominated by the University and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 19 min when initially after some slack play in the midfield resulted in Geddes firing home in the penalty area.
Although the University were in the ascendancy the Vale nearly equalised just before half time when Dawson should have scored from six yards.
The second half commenced with Vale pressing forward with the wind at their backs as were rewarded in the 54 min when a free kick in front of the University goal was played to Allan who drilled home the equaliser.
Vale were beginning to take control and were rewarded in the 57 min when Dawson hammered home a fine goal from within the penalty area.
Vale continued to dominated and scored a third in the 69 min when Dawson headed home a Stewart cross.
Vale then made a few changes to consolidate their lead and were very comfortable until in the first minute of injury time when Peden of the University struck a great volley pass Gilpin.
The last few minutes of the injury time were spent around the Vale box and only a good save from Gilpin with the last kick of the match ensured a Vale victory.
The Vale Man of the Match was given to Cameron Dawson.

Vale of Leithen 2 Tynecastle FC 0
Football Nation Qualifying Cup 1/4 Final
This game was moved to Ainslie Park due to snow making Victoria Park unplayable.
A healthy crowd was in attendance as play commenced.
Vale started with the same team that had hammered Gala Fairydean Rovers on the previously Saturday.
Vale started the game on the front foot with a series of corners which were cleared by the Tynecastle defence. As the game progressed Tynecastle were beginning to find their feet and although the first half was fairly even with regard to possession, Vale were creating the chances without taking any of them.
HT 0-0
The second half commenced with Tynecastle pressing forward trying to take control.
However, the Vale defence was resolute and although Tynecastle were having some good possession, as in the first half all the decent chances were falling to the Vale.
Both teams were playing good football, but gradually the Vale were gaining control and were rewarded in the 70 min when after some neat passing around the Tynecastle box Andy Martin slotted the ball home for a deserved lead.
Two minutes later after some good work by Sean Stewart who drew the goalkeeper before slipping the ball to substitute and ex Tynecastle man Tommy Patterson who played it into an empty goal.
The remainder of the game was played out with Tynecastle chasing a goal and Vale breaking upfield on numerous occasions without adding to their total.
FT 2-0
Bobby Craigie presented the Man of the Match award on behalf the match sponsor, Thomas Ward Motorsport to Ainslie Hunter.

Semi Final

Against Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale at Saughton Enclosure, Edinburgh

Wed 7th Feb 2018 KO 7.30pm