Caledonian Braves 4

Vale of Leithen 1

AFTER the highs of recording their second win of the season the previous week Vale crashed back down to earth at Strathclyde Park.

And yet again the necessary shuffling of the team didn't help matters with three of the derby-winning team missing.

Braves managed to thread together more than 20 passes before a cross was fired home by Neil McLaughlin in the sixth minute.

Vale hit back quickly and despite Alex Marshall pulling off a double save to deny Liam Ireland, Chris Anderson was on hand to fire a low shot into the net.

While the home team continued to enjoy the majority of possession Vale's goal remained intact until just before the break.

And it was poor defending that allowed Ross McNeil to be teed up for a simple strike from 15 yards out.

A McNeil penalty before the hour more or less guaranteed the home team's victory.

And Vale's miserable day ended with the striker completing his hat-trick 10 minutes from time with a deft lob over Andy McQueen.

Vale of Leithen. A McQueen, A Smith, M Robertson, J Wishart, A Imlah, L Hall (C O'Neil 63), B Rixon, L Smith, C Anderson, K McLeod & L Ireland (R Higgins 75).