Peeblesshire News | Sport | Hoping to rain supreme

Friday, 9th January, 2009

Published: Friday, 14th November, 2008 12:30

Hoping to rain supreme

By David Knox

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FLOODED football fields across Peeblesshire have left local managers with that sinking feeling.

A total of 51 East of Scotland matches have already been postponed this season because of water-logging.

And both pointless Peebles and Vale of Leithen have only managed nine league games between them.

Frustrated Vale boss Lindsay Rathie has endured six league call offs and can’t wait for his side to eventually climb from the bottom of the First Division.

He said: “We all know we’re in a false position with our three defeats but we’ve been unable to do anything about it because of the rain.

“The whole team is raring to go and we’re all on a high after winning in the Scottish Cup but it deflates you a bit when games are continuously called off.”

Rathie’s team host Ormiston at Victoria Park tomorrow (Saturday), but forecasted showers for today means an inspection will likely be called.

Peebles manager Gary French is more confident of his match going ahead tomorrow at the well-draining Riccarton Campus.

And with his side at full-strength, he hopes to run the students of Heriot-Watt close. He told us: “The postponements haven’t helped this season and the games we’ve had have been on really heavy pitches.

“We have a young team with a bit of pace and we could really do with some firm ground to run at teams.

“Heriot-Watt beat us 3-1 the last time in a close game and I’m hoping for a similar effort this week.”

French welcomes back Bob Smillie, Sam Hoskar, Ross Glass and Michael Holness to the Peebles squad.

Vale are also close to full strength with only the suspended Michael Osbourne missing from Rathie’s ranks.

Ormiston’s visit to Victoria Park and the Peebles against Heriot-Watt encounter both kick off at 2 p.m.

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