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After finding themselves 2-0 down at half time, one point
was better than none for Vale, but had their finishing been
better, they could have returned to Innerleithen with all
three. Vale were missing suspended striker Greig Shortreed,
but included flu-hit goalkeeper Mark Wilson and want-away
captain John Sanders. The Athletic line-up featured ex-Vale
stalwarts Darren Lockhart and Neil Ewart, as well as former
Gala Fairydean player Richie Johnstone, and it was the home
side who kicked off the match with a strong wind behind them.
They took the lead after half an hour as Johnstone picked
up a loose ball and crossed in to Dale Robertson at the back
post, who got to the ball ahead of Wilson to poke it home.
Three minutes later Vale were further behind when Johnstone
thrashed a free kick into the top corner from the edge of
the area. Despite the wind having been joined by rain and
bright sunshine (cue; rather attractive rainbow over Marine
Drive), Vale still managed to get forward often and Colin
Smith and Mike MacKale both passed up good opportunities to
get the Innerleithen men back in the game. But six minutes
into the second half, MacKale made the breakthrough as he
slid home a Raymond Fleming cross. The second half was basically
all Vale, with the occasional break forward by Athletic, but
the home side withstood the pressure until three minutes from
time when the referee awarded Vale a penalty after he adjudged
Darren Lockhart's handball in the area to be intentional.
The decision left the capital side seething, and to be fair
they did have a point, but they were powerless to prevent
substitute Mel Graham stepping up to fire the spot kick low
to the right of Alan McIntosh.
Edinburgh Athletic: Alan McIntosh; Graeme Bernardi, Paul Crandles
(Ross Middlemiss h-t), Mike Black, Neil Ewart, Mark Steiger,
Darren Lockhart, Dale Robertson, Richie Johnstone, Ian Cartwright
(Val Chisholm 72), James Welsh (Chris Black 63).
Vale of Leithen: Mark Wilson; Ronald Fleming, Ross McManus,
John Sanders, Campbell Forsyth, Scott Johnston, Ross Alexander
(Peter Shearlaw 80), Colin Smith (Mel Graham 59), Mike MacKale
(Lewis Montgomery 55), Aaron Somerville, Raymond Fleming.
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Although the score suggests a tight match, Vale took the lead
after nine minutes, when Colin Smith drove home a Ross McManus
cross and never looked likely to give it up. Berwick's work-rate
let them down, as time and again they allowed their opponents
plenty of space, and it's doubtful if Vale's Ross Alexander,
performing a midfield holding role, will have an easier afternoon
this season. Even Smith and Raymond Fleming were able to save
their normal lung-bursting efforts for another occasion. Vale
increased their lead in the 41st minute, courtesy of a rather
soft penalty as 'Gers Andrew McLean was adjudged to have fouled
Greig Shortreed and Mike MacKale made no mistake from the
spot. The visitors came out for the second half in determined
mood and caught Vale napping in the third minute. Lewis Coult,
making his debut after signing from Edinburgh Athletic, crossed
the ball to John Crawford and the hitman made space for himself
before shooting home. This sparked off a bit of a spell for
Berwick, but they couldn't capitalise on it and Vale restored
their two goal advantage with another penalty in the 58th
minute. This time there was no doubt about the award, as Shortreed
was clipped by Shaun Walton as he drove into the box, but
MacKale's second spot kick was less emphatic as David Easton
got a hand to it, but could only divert it upwards and in.
Although the game was played in a good spirit, referee Andy
Rooney saw fit to hand out a total of seven yellow cards for
various misdemeanors, the last of which was a second one to
Greig Shortreed, for a rather innocous looking foul and Vale
were down to ten men for the final six minutes of play. Right
at the death, Berwick's Alan Jess, who along with McLean and
Johnny Simpson had been the visitors best performers, scored
a deserved goal, cracking home a shot from the edge of the
area.
Vale of Leithen: Mark Wilson; Ross McManus, Ronald Fleming,
John Sanders, Campbell Forsyth, Scott Johnston, Colin Smith
(Peter Shearlaw 73), Ross Alexander, Mike MacKale (Lewis Montgomery
66), Greig Shortreed, Raymond Fleming (Steven Whiteford h-t).
Berwick Rangers Res.: David Easton; Andrew McLean, Shaun Walton,
Jordan Ainslie (Steven Drummond 69), Kieran Ainslie, Jason
Inglis, Kevin Cairnie, Alan Jess, John Crawford, Lewis Coult,
Johnny Simpson.
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In the light of this week's events involving Vale player Richard
Edge, the club have decided to call off this Saturday's scheduled
league fixture against Edinburgh Athletic. Richard underwent
an operation yesterday and while his condition is no more
serious than it was, it was felt that it would be inappropriate
to play the game this weekend. The club would like to thank
both the East of Scotland League and Edinburgh Athletic FC
for their co-operation and understanding in the matter.
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