Vale of Leithen 1

Penicuik Athletic 2

By Callum Hodgson

at Victoria Park

VALE of Leithen had their second pre-season workout at Victoria Park on Tuesday night.

After a 3-3 draw with Edinburgh Star on Saturday, Chris Anderson’s side welcomed Penicuik Athletic to Innerleithen.

And there were plenty of positives to take, despite the result.

The Vale gaffer told us: “It was a really good workout for us. That is exactly what we wanted. Both teams did well.

“I thought there was a good tempo to the game and we really enjoyed it.

“We needed the game. It is only our second game back so the boys are still getting their fitness back.

“That is what we are looking do, build our fitness so we are ready for the season.”

The visitors created several chances in the opening 10 minutes – all fell to Jordan Caddow who couldn’t take advantage.

And when he did eventually find the net, he was adjudged to have scored from an offside position.

But the Vale grew into the game and came close themselves on a number of occasions.

Gary Nicholson set up Jordan Easton and he forced a wonderful fingertip save from the Penicuik stopper on the half hour mark.

And just 10 minutes later, they went in front.

The returning Tommy Patterson floated a wonderful ball into the box towards Nicholson who headed over the keeper.

But the lead was short lived.

On the stroke of half time, the visitors responded through Paul Tansey who broke through and smashed the ball into the net.

The quick tempo continued in the second half with Kyle Sampson and substitute Aaron Ponton coming close for Athletic.

Vale boss Anderson brought himself on, on the hour mark and he almost made an instant impact. However his effort from the edge of the area went narrowly wide.

But on 69 minutes Penicuik took the lead.

Caddow crossed the ball in from the right, and there was Aaron Somerville to power in a header at the back post.

The Vale tried to respond, but Lewis Hall and Patterson both saw their efforts either saved or drift wide.

Vale: A McQueen, B Rixon, T Patterson, R Higgins, A Imlah, G Rossi (S Stevens 73), G Nicholson (C Anderson 59), L Hall, J Easton (M Robertson HT), L Smith, L Ireland