Gala Fairydean Rovers 6

Vale of Leithen 1

David Knox at Netherdale

WHEN you are forced into fielding your 46-year-old coach, who’s had a chest infection for the past fortnight, just before kick-off you know it’s not your day.

And when you concede three goals in the opening 10 minutes, you wonder if it can get any worse.

Despite the heavy defeat at the hands of his neighbours, Vale interim manager Mark Lamb can take some heart from the way his thrown-together team showed both spirit and resolve not to completely capitulate.

Lamb told us: “We have half the team missing and then lose our top scorer Keith McLeod just minutes before the game due to an injury.

“We only had Jimmy Rae on the bench – he’s not played for years and has been ill for weeks.

“We’ll be glad when the season is over.”

Gala took full advantage of the late reshuffle with some slick passing and movement in the opening quarter hour.

Ryan Clapperton fired home the first at the back post after just two minutes.

The second came on five minutes with Jack Hay converting from close range.

And the former Selkirk striker made it three on nine minutes with a delightful shot from the edge of the area that flew past Andy McQueen.

Surprisingly Vale began to find their feet and slowly, but surely, turned the tide for the remainder of the half.

The visitors were rewarded with a terrific Kenny O’Brien strike from 25 yards to close the deficit.

And it was only good fortune for Gala that they didn’t add to their tally.

Mark Wilson produced a magnificent finger-tip save to deny Jason Stevens.

From the resultant corner Stevens headed against the post.

Another Vale goal at this stage could set home nerves racing but the closest they came again before the break was Ainslie Hunter’s speculative shot which Wilson gathered.

Gala made sure of progression to this Saturday’s second round with Hay’s third of the match on the stroke of half time after a neat counter attack from deep in their own half.

Stuart Noble unselfishly squared for his strike partner to bag his hat-trick from inside the area.

Taylor Aitchison added the fifth on 64 minutes after coming off the bench, and fellow substitute Ross Lamb finished well to make it 6-1 with 12 minutes remaining.

Stevens hit the post again for Vale as the Innerleithen side refused to give up.

But Noble also struck the woodwork at the other end.

Gala manager Steven Noble said: “The main objective was to get through and we’ve done that.

“The performance wasn’t great but it was a good run out for a lot of boys who needed a game.

“We scored some good goals today and I’m hopeful with a few boys back we’ll be better next week for the quarter final.”

Gala FR. M Wilson, R Clapperton (R Lamb 58), L Stephen, T Hope, M Allan, B Herdman, A Scott, B Miller, S Noble, J Hay (T Aitchison 58) & D McColm.

Vale of Leithen. A McQueen, C Moir, J Gill, D McLeod, J Elliot, K O’Brien, A Hunter, L McIntosh, J Stevens, J Rae & A Robertson.