Vale smash and grab at Spartans

Published 18 Dec 2009 10:12 0 Comments

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Spartans 1 v 2 Vale of Leithen

WHILE the splendid achievements of Leithen Rovers over the last few years have brought some cheer to Innerleithen, the grim reality for Vale as we head into the new year, is that the noughties have been the first decade of their existence that has seen the club fail to land a single trophy.

But that may well be about to change, because if the players currently plying their trade at Victoria Park can't do it, you'd have to wonder which ones can.

East of Scotland games don't come any tougher than facing Spartans on their own patch, and while it could be argued that last season's League Cup win at Victoria Park represented something of an off day for the Edinburgh club, there was no such notion on this occasion.

This was Spartans in full-flight, bursting their collective gut to batter Vale into submission.

It says everything that Spartans, as befits such a hugely successful club, are not renowned for being the best of losers but took this defeat with such good grace even the most partisan of their supporters burst into a spontaneous round of applause at the final whistle in recognition of Vale's display.

Both sides were content to pass the ball around patiently and chances were created in equal measure at both ends until Vale made the breakthrough in the 26th minute.

An Ousman Sonko corner found it's way to Aaron Somerville at the edge of the area, who struck a superb volley high into the net.

It was a lead Vale took into the dressing room with them, despite having a real scare shortly before half time when a Keith McLeod cut back found Gavin Malin, who somehow contrived to hit the bar from a few yards out.

Six minutes into the second period, Vale increased their lead with a breathtaking strike from Somerville. Running onto a long ball, the striker checked back to lose his marker before unleashing a stunning shot from 25 yards that gave Spartans keeper Chris Flockhart no chance.

In the 63rd minute Malin atoned for his earlier miss by knocking home the rebound after McLeod's shot had been blocked and for a 20 minute spell no one inside Ainslie Park would have bet against Spartans grabbing at least another couple as they put an unbelievable amount of pressure on the Vale goal.

Vale keeper Mark Wilson dived brilliantly to turn away a McLeod shot destined for the top corner and Donal Henretty crashed a long range effort off the bar, but the Vale defence held firm to book a cup final place against Gretna.

Spartans: C. Flockhart, D. Henretty, G. Malin, D. Gerrard, K. Sivewright, R. Archibald, A. King, S. McAuley, O. Kader, K. McLeod, R. Manson.

Vale of Leithen: M. Wilson, G. Tainsh, P. Lee, M. Stewart, P. Thomson, J. Hall, A. Martin (S. Dongo 76), P. Greenhill, O. Sonko (G. Rossi 59), D. Gillon, A. Somerville.

This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 18 Dec 09

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