Today’s game postponed.

A refereeing decision which did not meet with the satisfaction of both managers who wanted the game to go ahead.

The game will be re-arranged for a future date.

Chris Anderson reckons it is about time Vale of Leithen had some cup glory. And last weekend’s derby victory could well be the perfect launching pad.

Ahead of today’s South Challenge Cup match against Upper Annandale from the South of Scotland League, Anderson is fantasising about a day in the sun with some silverware.

If his team keep up the level of performance from last Saturday’s 3-1 win at Gala Fairydean Rovers then his dreams may just come true.

He believes it was an indication of just what they can achieve after a slow start to the season. Anderson said: “From day one I’ve said the cup games are important to the team and today’s game is another challenge for us to build on last week’s performance.

“It’s always nice to dream and it’s been far too long since this old club has had some success.

“Last week’s performance against Gala was as good as we’ve been this season and probably in my time as manager of the club. Not only was it a much needed three points against our local rivals but also the manner of our display proved we are a capable side.”

During the difficult run Anderson and his players were not helped by a combination of a crippling injury list and unavailabilities for various other reasons.

It may be no coincidence that the improved performance came when there was almost a full squad to choose from. Andy Martin and Tommy Patterson are now set to return to bolster his options further, along with the return to the club of both Ally Smith and Jack Blaikie.

“One factor leading into today’s game is the return of a number of players from injury. The strength of the squad has been tested and I’m pleased to see Andy Martin and Tommy Patterson return.

“I was also keen to continue our strengthening of the squad by adding Jack Blaikie and Ally Smith both will be fantastic additions”, added Anderson.

This Saturday Vale are at home to Upper Annandale in the SFA South Region Challenge Cup Round 2.

Uppers, as they are called, play in the South of Scotland League and are based in Moffat.

At present Uppers are sitting in the bottom half of the league, and on current form the Vale would be regarded as favourites.

However, as with any cup competition nothing can be taken for granted.

The Saffron Indian Restaurant from Innerleithen will be the Match Sponsor.

Vale’s injury problems have been improving and after last week’s good performance against Selkirk, Chris was able to field a more settled team.

From the start Vale were the more prominent team with the majority of possession and had most of the chances in the first half. The Rovers were still dangerous on the break and the Vale defence had to called into action on a few occasions to thwart attacks.

As has happened in many cases this season the break of the ball in the Rovers penalty box would just not fall to Vale. Vale finished the first half with a couple of players limping.

HT 0-0

The second half resumed with two Vale substitutions, Smith for McBride and S.Stevens for J.Stevens.

This appeared to have an affect on the Vale and during the first 10 minutes they were under the cosh as Rovers were starting to take control.

However, Vale gradually started to get control again and were rewarded in the 56 minute when a knockdown in the Rovers box was volleyed home by Kerr Allan.

Vale were now in control and were playing some good football and following a corner from Kerr Allan, Shaun Stevens pounced to drive home number two in the 75 minute.

Another substitute Matt Graham was beginning to give Rovers a lot of problems on their left side and from one of his mazy runs he cut into the box and unleashed a unstoppable shot to make it 3-0 in the 83 minute.

Rover’s player Noble scored a consolation goal in the 90 minute.

FT 1-3

One thing is for certain in today’s Borders derby between Gala Fairydean Rovers and Vale of Leithen – Craig McBride will know his way to the ground.

The towering centre half grew up in Galashiels and joined Gala Fairydean, before the amalgamation with Gala Rovers, when he was a teenager.

He has fond memories of playing for his hometown club, but he is a Vale player now and his concentration is firmly on making sure the Netherdale faithful are not a happy bunch by 5pm this afternoon.

Invited to go down memory lane, he waxed lyrical about his former club, but he is determined to use the match against them as a springboard for Vale’s season.

He said: “Borders derbies are always good games and they seem to draw bigger crowds too, so I think if we managed to take all three points it would be massive for the boys and I’m sure we would get some momentum going off the back of it.

“I really enjoyed my time at Gala and played for them for a long time. When I first signed I was 16 and Gala were in the East of Scotland League and I was there for the whole transition to the Lowland League.

“It was a fun time and I really enjoyed my football. I still know plenty of the team and talk to them regularly as well as plenty of the staff who no doubt I’ll see on match day.

“The club itself is very friendly and welcoming and they’re no different with me even though I’m with the Vale now.”

Clearly McBride knows more than most about what to expect from today’s opponents, although he admits that even for him they are a difficult side to work out. He knows that Vale have their work cut out for them but takes encouragement from the last two performances, despite defeats against Whitehill Welfare and Selkirk.

“Gala, even when I played for them, have always been a slightly unpredictable team”, he added.

“Their league position probably doesn’t reflect what they are capable of as they have some very good players. I am certainly expecting a tough game but I think if we play as well as we have in our last couple of games we have a chance of taking all three points.”

Last season’s final league position was a bit of a disappointment at Victoria Park, with a feeling that a slightly higher placing could have been achieved. So far this time out that feeling has been exacerbated, with only two league wins leaving Vale in second bottom above only pointless Hawick.

However, McBride feels that the league position is false with some mitigating factors contributing to it. Encouraging performances of late haven’t been matched by results and Chris Anderson has had to deal with a crippling injury and unavailability list in pretty much every match.

McBride added: “I think anyone who has watched our last two or three games knows there has been a major improvement in our performances.

“We were unlucky not to beat Whitehill and arguably should’ve beat Selkirk as well. A couple of silly mistakes and a couple of missed chances have hurt us over the last few weeks but I think if we can rectify that we’ll be fine.

“One of our main issues this season has been inconsistency in the squad. We’ve played a different starting 11 almost every week which obviously doesn’t help.

“Now that we have players returning from injury and holidays etc we should be able to get a bit more regularity into the squad and this will only help us.”