Peeblesshire News | Sport | Vale set out their stall in early friendly

Thursday, 21st August, 2008

Published: Friday, 11th July, 2008 12:25

Vale set out their stall in early friendly

By Dave Ryce at Victoria Park

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Vale of Leithen 4 v 0 Cowdenbeath

Prior to the first pre-season game, Vale co-manager Lindsay Rathie had been of the opinion that players’ fitness was more important than the result. In the event, there didn’t seem to be a problem with either.

Granted, the Cowdenbeath team included a number of new signings and trialists, but Vale was hardly at full strength either, with several players still on holiday.

What is clear though is that the players who will shortly arrive back in Innerleithen, bronzed from the world’s beaches, will have their work cut out to force their way into this team.

The Fifers had the majority of the early play, but Vale dug in and defended well before starting to push forward.

In the 27th minute Vale took the lead as last season’s top scorer, Aaron Somerville, executed a sweet chip over the head of visiting goalkeeper David Hay and into the net. Five minutes later, a long ball forward from Creag Robertson found Andy Martin, who touched it onto Somerville overlapping down the right. Somerville’s shot bounced awkwardly in front of Hay and through his grasp to make it two.

The SFL side played Vale the ultimate compliment by tinkering wit their formation as they struggled to cope with the pace and movement of the Vale forward line, before manager Danny Lennon decided he had seen enough from the sidelines and brought himself on.

It had the desired effect, and the Blue Brazil started to live up to their nickname as they started to use the ball more effectively and turn on the style.

They looked particularly dangerous at set pieces, with Jamie Doyle clipping the post as he met a Mark Ramsay corner.

But Vale soaked up the pressure before hitting a third in 66 minutes, when new signing Chris Graham hooked a spectacular shot on the turn into the net.

Cowdenbeath really started to turn the screw, and Kenny Adamson rattled the crossbar with a fearsome shot. But back again came Vale as a Frank Harrison cross was parried out by Hay only to be met by the impressive Graham, who rifled a shot into the bottom corner of the net.

The Fifers always looked good for a goal, and seven minutes from the end they were awarded a penalty as striker Paul McQuade was upended in the area by Robertson. McQuade took the spot kick himself, but chose power over accuracy and his effort whizzed over the crossbar.

Vale of Leithen: M.Wilson, G.Tainsh (N.Nisbet, 67 minutes), Ross McManus (C.Johnstone, 72), C.Robertson, C.Forsyth, Ryan McManus (A.Hunter, 72), A.Martin (Ryan McManus, 84), S.Notman, C.Graham, A.Somerville (F.Harrison, 47), Ray Fleming.

Cowdenbeath: D.Hay, C.McDermaid, K.Adamson, A.Anglade (D.Lennon, 57), A.Troube, S.Hodge, M.Ramsay, J.Shields, P.McQuade, J.Robertson, D.Fleming (J.Doyle, 41).

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