Civil Service Strollers 2-0Vale of Leithen: Strollers deal with pressure

In a game littered with stoppages and bookings, the home side flooded midfield to stamp out any creative spark from their opponents.

After successfully absorbing some pressure as Vale enjoyed the lions share of possession, they took the lead in the 42nd minute when Daniel McAleavy’s ball into a crowded penalty area fell to Ross Kerr, who slid in to steer the ball home.

Midway through the second half, Strollers doubled their lead as Stewart O’Neill fired in a cross and Kerr gave Vale keeper James Hudson no chance with a powerful header from close range. It was to be virtually the last time the home side were seen as an attacking force as Vale pounded Bruce Callan’s goal in search of a way back into the game, but to no avail.

An injury time red card for the previously substituted Stephen Sproule for comments to the referee from the sidelines 
completed Vale’s miserable 
afternoon.

Civil Service Strollers: Callan, Lister, D McAleavy, Young, Sommerville, C McAleavy, Mearns, Burns, Aitchison, O’Neill, Kerr (Wague 86). Sub: Gay

Vale of Leithen: Hudson, S Sproule (Moffat 58), Blaikie, J Paterson, McKenzie, Gordon, W Sproule, Dodds, Noon, K Paterson, C Inglis (Thomson 70). Subs: Devlin, S Inglis.