Vale of Leithen 2

Tynecastle 3

VALE of Leithen manager Mickey Lawson admitted he would not be too disappointed to see this week’s game with basement side Threave Rovers called off.

Rovers are due to host Vale in the Lowland League, with a home win drawing the Innerleithen side into a relegation battle.

But with injuries and suspensions depleting his squad, Lawson would not mind the elements forcing the game to be called off.

Lawson said: “It would not be the end of the world if the game was postponed.

“It is a huge game but we really are down to the bare bones. We are lacking an under 20s team which I have had at my previous clubs which allows you to call up players when short of numbers.

“We will just have to see how everyone is at training this week.”

Vale’s morale was not aided by last weekend’s South Challenge Cup defeat to East of Scotland League side Tynecastle.

The Innerleithen men were expected to defeat the Edinburgh team, but spurned a series of chances, while Tynie took theirs.

Victoria Park’s sodden surface meant this cup tie had been called off twice already, and with the threat of another call off, Vale decided to switch the game to Gala Fairydean Rovers’ Netherdale 3G pitch.

But it does not appear to matter what the surface is made of for Keith McLeod. After missing an early chance, McLeod was on the scoresheet again on 25 minutes, converting Liam McIntosh’s fine run and cross for his sixth goal in nine games since joining Vale.

McIntosh was Vale’s best player and he forced Tynecastle captain Ryan Ferguson into a goal line clearance but a wrist injury saw the midfielder substituted.

A further blow arrived right on half time as Andy McQueen rushed out his area to clear a long ball, only to scuff his clearance and for Dean Crabbe to produce a composed lob from 30 yards.

Tynie went in front five minutes after the break as Stewart Adams finished well from the edge of the area, but Vale were back level on 58 minutes when Bradley Rixon’s surging run set up Stevens who tucked the ball past Ross McMullen.

The chances continued at either end in an absorbing last half hour, with Martin Robinson striking the top of the crossbar for Tynecastle and McLeod being denied by two superb blocks by McMullen.

But with extra time looming, Tynecastle’s Scott Coleman scored with a stunning 20 yard strike past McQueen.

Lawson added: “We are so short of players I was ready to bring coach Jimmy Rae on towards the end of the game.

“Ryan Sclater and David McLeod have not trained but we had to bring them off the bench.

“We had plenty chances but we were lost our concentration and were unprofessional at the third goal and it cost us.”

Vale of Leithen: A. McQueen, B. Rixon, R. Brady, S. Lynch, A. Flanagan, C. Jackson, J. Stevens, L. McIntosh (R. Sclater 38), K. Mitchell (D. McLeod 70), K. McLeod, D. White.