Champions edge out battling Vale

Dave Ryce • Published 27 Aug 2010 09:30 0 Comments

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Spartans 2 v 0 Vale of Leithen

VALE manager Robbie Horn took charge of his first game at Ainslie Park on Tuesday as Vale fell to defending champions Spartans.

Losing to the Edinburgh side is no disgrace, but there was plenty of food for thought for the new gaffer as Vale found themselves outclassed by an efficient Spartans side.

A goal in each half from Donal Henretty and Gavin Malin ensured the victory and although the Innerleithen side had spells of good play, they rarely looked like breaching the capital side’s rearguard.

With captain Mike Stewart out injured, Paul Lee moved into the centre of defence, while his place at left back was filled by Jamie Lauder and it was an evening to forget for the former Leith Athletic man as he was given a torrid time by livewire winger Omar Kader.

And his miserable evening was capped ten minutes from time as he was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

Only a superb fingertip save from Darren Walker prevented Malin from opening the scoring in the 40th minute, but Spartans did take the lead shortly afterwards when Henretty fired a shot from 12 yards past a helpless Walker.

One plus point for Vale was the interesting personal battle between John Hall and free-scoring Spartans striker Keith McLeod.

The respect both players had for each other was obvious and a good old-fashioned ding-dong, which never descended into foul play, was an intriguing sub-plot to the evening.

Hall took the honours for this one, as McLeod was restricted to a few hopeful shots that never troubled Walker in the Vale goal.

At the other end, the Spartans defence kept tight a leash on Vale striker Steve Radzynski, reducing him to a largely anonymous figure, although he had probably Vale’s best chance following a great move.

Lauder carried the ball forward, before slipping it to Andy Martin, whose cross found Radzynski a few yards out, but his shot flew inches over.

It was rare moment of direct play from the visiting side, who seemed to want to take a touch too much in possession.

Spartans made sure of the points in the 76th minute, as Walker couldn’t hold a Henretty shot and Kader pounced to cut the ball back for Malin to finish from close range.

A few minutes later Lauder, who had been booked for dissent ten minutes earlier, was shown his second yellow for a foul and Vale played out the remaining time a man short.

Spartans:C. Flockhart; R. Archibald, D. Hoskins, C. Townsley, K. Sivewright, O. Kader (S. McAuley 81), G. Malin (C. Smith 81), R. Manson, D. Henretty (D. Etale 80), K. McLeod, J. Beesley.

Vale of Leithen: D. Walker; G. Tainsh, J. Lauder, P. Lee, J. Hall, P. Greenhill, A. Martin (A. Penman 84), C. Beaton, S. Radzynski, S. Moffat, G. Cole (A. Brunton 71).

This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 27 Aug 10

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