Vale of Leithen 3

University of Stirling 2

By Callum Hodgson

at Victoria Park

VALE stretched their unbeaten run in 2018 to three games, after coming from behind to beat Stirling Uni on Saturday.

Player-manager Chris Geddes opened the scoring for the visitors early on, but a 30-yard free kick from Kerr Allan and a double from teenager Cameron Dawson secured victory for the Victoria Park side.

Substitute Aiden Peden did score in stoppage time for the students, but that was a mere consolation.

And Vale gaffer Chris Anderson was delighted with the result.

He said: “I thought it was an excellent team performance.

“The first half was a bit uneventful and we couldn’t really get a foothold in the game, but to come from behind and win a game of football at this level is a great thing.

“This is a big win for us - our third on the bounce - so there’s a bit of confidence sifting through the team at the moment.

"We’re just hoping we can take that forward.”

Vale managed seven goals in their previous two games – a 5-1 demolition of Gala Fairydean Rovers and a 2-0 win over Tynecastle in the Qualifying Cup.

But that unbeaten streak looked like it could come to an end when Geddes slotted home on 18 minutes, following some nice link-up play with Rory MacEwan.

However, Vale hit back and should have equalised when Dawson hit Sean Stewart’s rebounded shot past the post.

And he had another great chance just three minutes into the second half as he headed Liall Smith’s corner wide.

Six minutes later the home side did level in spectacular fashion.

Jack Blaikie laid off a 30-yard free kick to Allan, who smacked the ball into the bottom corner to become Vale’s top goalscorer with seven this season.

And Dawson also got what he deserved shortly after.

He picked up the ball on the right, cut into the box and floated his effort over Kevin Walker from what looked like an impossible angle.

Stirling Uni offered very little in the second half as Vale continued to attack.

And it came as no surprise when Dawson grabbed his second after heading home from a Sean Stewart cross on 69 minutes.

Five minutes before the end substitute Jonny Scott-Mercer also came close, but he headed Allan’s free kick inches over.

The visitors did pull one back in stoppage time though.

Dominic Kane fired in a cross from the right and Aiden Peden volleyed past Gilpin from the edge of the box.

But his effort was too late in the day to make any difference.

R Gilpin, A Smith, R Brady, S Lynch, J Blaikie, C McBride (A Hunter 69), A Martin (B Raiker 68), K Allan, C Dawson, S Stewart, L Smith (J Scott-Mercer 70). Subs not used: K Beveridge.