Peeblesshire News | Sport | Vale stay on the Scottish Cup trail

Friday, 9th January, 2009

Published: Friday, 7th November, 2008 12:30

Vale stay on the Scottish Cup trail

By Dave Ryce at Civil Service Sportsground

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Civil Service Strollers 0 v 1 Vale of Leithen

In a slight change to the song made famous by The Four Tops, Vale will be going Loco up in Inverurie at the end of the month, after a strike by Aaron Somerville sealed their place in the Third Round of the Scottish Cup.

Although it was a tight game with plenty of chances created at both ends, it was a deserved victory by the men from Innerleithen by virtue of the fact that they carried more threat up front.

Strollers got off to a blistering start as Danny Wheelan headed a Russell Hogarth cross narrowly wide.

Shortly after, a Wheelan free kick found Michael Somerville in front of goal, but Vale goalkeeper Leigh Gordon showed great reflexes to push the effort wide.

At the other end, a free kick by Vale's Steven Notman bounced awkwardly in front of Darren Walker, but the home keeper managed to gather the ball.

Notman sent another shot whizzing over the bar, while Walker prevented a certain goal soon after as he diverted a Ryan McManus cross away from the head of Chris Graham.

Having picked up a knock during the first half, Graham had to retire from the action at the break, but his replacement from a strong collection of substitutes was ex-Hibs striker Geri Rossi.

Keeper Gordon was again called into action, dealing well with shots from Wheelan and Michael Dwyer, but Strollers really should have taken the lead when Wheelan's cross found Tony Currie a few yards out, but the normally reliable hit-man unbelievably screwed his shot wide.

At the other end, Walker showed good handling from efforts by Greig Shortreed and Somerville, but survived spilling a Robbie Clark free kick under pressure from Rossi when no Vale players were close enough to take advantage.

However, in the 77th minute Walker was left helpless as an inch perfect cross from the right by Ryan McManus found the in-rushing Somerville who sent a superb volley into the net.

Strollers hopes took another dent five minutes from time as ex-Vale midfielder Craig Dickson was red-carded after going in high and late on Somerville.

Vale came agonisingly close to adding a second when Rossi beat the offside trap, but Walker got a touch on his attempted chip and the ball bounced off the upright before the keeper scrambled back to gather.

Civil Service Strollers: D. Walker; R. Alexander (K. Fettes 79), K. Buckley (M. Dwyer 66), P. Greenhill, T. Currie, R. Hogarth, M. Somerville, D. Wheelan, P. Lynch, C. Dickson, G. Newall.

Vale of Leithen: L. Gordon; G. Tainsh, Ross McManus, P. Lee, Ron Fleming, R. Clark (Ray Fleming 76), Ryan McManus, S. Notman, C. Graham (G. Rossi h-t), A. Somerville, G. Shortreed (A. Martin 66).

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