Peeblesshire News | Sport | Vale tackle 'new' opponents in Regional Cup challenge

Friday, 25th July, 2008

Published: Friday, 15th February, 2008 11:00

Vale tackle 'new' opponents in Regional Cup challenge

By David Knox

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REVITALISED Vale are hoping South side St Cuthbert’s Wanderers will be on a pointless pilgrimage to the Borders tomorrow.

The Kirkcudbright side fired 10 past Dumfries in the first round of the new SFA South of Scotland Regional Cup last Saturday.

But Lyndsay Rathie’s team will be looking to make life a lot more difficult for the Saints when they arrive at Victoria Park for round two.

The manager told the Peeblesshire News: “St Cuthbert’s are a bit of an unknown force for us but any team that scores 10 in a game can’t be bad.

“The good thing about this cup is that it gives us the chance to play teams like this.

“We have finally hit a bit of form in recent weeks and I’m hoping we can keep it going in the cup.”

Inspirational midfielder Steven Notman has made a big difference to the Innerleithen side as he awaits negotiations over a full-time contract with a league club being finalised.

And recent center half signing Craeg Robertson is also helping to steady, what was at times, the rocky ship.

But on-loan Motherwell teenager Steven Wishart was called back to Fir Park last weekend for a cup match.

Rathie added: “We would like to have Steven until the end of the season and will see if we can get him back and continue his loan spell.”

Peebles hopes of a run in the South Regional cup ended in the first round on Saturday against Heriot-Watt University.

But the Whitestone Park side can bounce back this week by regaining the top spot in the East First Division with a win down at Eyemouth United.

Boss Mark Lamb isn’t hiding where his priorities lie. He told us: “We would like to have won the cup game but the main thing this season is getting promotion.

“If we have any aspirations of winning the league then we have to take something from games against teams like Eyemouth.

“It will be a difficult place to go, but we need to get back to the form from the start of the season which took us to the top of the league.”

Peebles may be without Aaron Patterson, Kerr Dodds and Gareth Thom who are all struggling with injuries.

But Paul Russell returns to the squad from suspension.

In the same competition, Gala Fairydean face a tricy journey to fce Annan Athletic at Galabank while Kelso United host Glasgow University.

Vale’s home tie against St Cuthbert’s Wanderers and Peebles trip to the seaside to face Eyemouth both kick off at 2pm.

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