Vale aim for Moray goals

Ally McGilvray • Published 21 Oct 2009 10:41 0 Comments

ONE of the region's biggest football matches became the latest casualty of swine flu at the weekend.

The South Challenge Cup second round tie between East of Scotland League Premier Division leaders Lothian Thistle and Vale of Leithen, who top the table in the First Division, was cancelled after seven players in the city side fell ill.

However, Jags boss Alan O'Neil, revealed he thought his players were just hungover when only seven of them turned up for training after a team bonding session last weekend.

"We only realised something was wrong when the players started phoning up to say they couldn't make training," he said. "A couple of them said they had swine flu and they were going to hospital. They were coughing and spluttering but we had a night out last week so we weren't sure. It will probably turn out they just have the cold."

Vale of Leithen manager Rab Paget claimed it was the first time a game had been postponed due to swine flu. He pointed out Newtongrange were forced to play a game at the start of their season despite their squad being decimated by the virus.

The Victoria Park boss, who had a full squad to choose from for the match, said: "I am disappointed not to get a game before our Scottish Cup clash this weekend." But he added: "People's health comes first. And, at the end of the day, it's only a game of football."

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Heriot-Watt University defeated Selkirk 3-2 while, in the First Division, Hawick and Kelso cancelled each other out with a 2-2 draw in the Borders derby.

In the South Challenge Cup, holders Spartans completed back to back victories over Coldstream following their 5-1 league victory last weekend. Stewart Fowlie, Keith McLeod and Robbie Manson put the visitors 3-0 ahead in the first hour at Home Park. But Damien McNulty, the manager's son, netted a late consolation for the home side. The game finished 3-1.

Coldstream manager Peter McNulty said: "There were as many positives as negatives to take from the game." But he added: "Spartans are just a phenomenal team and whenever there is a lapse in concentration they will punish you."

Peebles suffered their heaviest defeat of the season after losing 13-0 to Stirling University in the cup. However, they were forced to make the trip without manager, Ray McInnes, whose mum died the night before the match.

In the other ties involving clubs from the Borders, Edinburgh City beat Eyemouth 6-1, while Gretna beat Creetown 2-0.

RESULTS

(Saturday, October 17)

Premier Division

Selkirk 2 - 3 Heriot- Watt University

First Division

Hawick 2 - 2 Kelso

South Challenge Cup

Coldstream 1 - 3 Spartans

Eyemouth 1 - 6 Edinburgh City

Peebles 0 - 13 Stirling University

FIXTURES

(Saturday, October 24)

Premier Division

Heriot-Watt University v Coldstream

First Division

Craigroyston v Hawick Royal Albert

Gala Fairydean v Kelso United

Gretna 2008 v Peebles

Scottish Cup

Vale of Leithen v Keith

Selkirk v Irvine Meadow

Civil Service Strollers v Berwick Rangers

Alex Jack Cup Semi-final

Eyemouth United V Easthouses Lily MW

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