Vale of Leithen 0

Edinburgh University 1

David Knox

at Victoria Park

VALE ended their season with a disappointing defeat in the Lowland League Cup.

In a match void of much excitement it was Chris Anderson’s team who should have been progressing to a quarter-final clash with Spartans as they created the bulk of the chances.

Player-boss Anderson told us: “Football is about taking your chances and we didn’t do that today.

“There wasn’t a great deal between the teams but on another day we could have been two or three up as we were creating more.

“It’s a disappointing way to end the season but we can now start rebuilding ahead of next season.”

Vale’s top scorer Sean Stewart was unfortunate in the eighth minute after slicing between defenders to rifle and angled shot just over.

He was denied ten minutes later by the feet of keeper Nick Buxton after being threaded through by Anderson.

But approaching half time it was the Students who came close to breaking the deadlock.

Aidan Kemp created enough space to unleash a powerful shot, which deflected inches wide.

From the resultant corner Stuart McNicholas’s near-post effort was headed over his own bar by Anderson.

Ross Gilpin also came to Vale’s rescue in the 42nd minute after Alex Imlah’s clearance landed kindly for striker Patrick Baird to run in on goal.

Vale dominated early exchanges in the second half with Craig McBride charging from half way to fire a tempting ball across the face of goal – without any team-mates able to finish.

A clever back-heel from Stewart in the 49th minute set up Underhill but his shot was straight at Buxton.

And a couple of minutes later Marc Berry’s powerful effort was well saved by the Uni keeper.

It looked inevitable that the home team would break the deadlock, but after Berry ran onto Anderson’s pass to fire round the wrong side of the post in the 59th minute the chances began to dry up.

And with their first proper attack of the second half it was the Students who edged in front.

Robbie Sinclair managed to keep the ball in play and his cross was dispatched beyond Gilpin by Luke Murray.

Vale did push for an equaliser with Ger Rossi picking out Underhill but he fired over from 15 yards.

And Buxton did well to hold several crosses under pressure from McBride.

Vale of Leithen. R Gilpin, B Rixon, K Boyes, A Imlah, C McBride, G Rossi, L Smith, M Berry, C Anderson (J Smith 72), S Stewart & M Underhill.