Patched-up Granton Vale just can't plug the holes

With a squad decimated by illness and suffering from a lack of fitness and recent match practice, Granton Vale put up a gallant fight before crashing out of the Scottish Amateur Cup 5-3 at the fourth-round stage against Wishaw HSFP.

Vale were, prior to kick-off, one of nine remaining Lothian and Edinburgh FA teams in the national competition and were looking to replicate the success of fellow Capital side Tollcross Thistle, who beat Kilsyth in December to advance to the fifth round.

Granton were finally permitted the chance to claim a scalp from the west after Wishaw had been forced to postpone the tie on three previous occasions, but the North Edinburgh side arrived at the Ravenscraig indoor venue with just five minutes to spare because of road conditions and with a group of just 12 players due to illness and work commitments.

Vale last contested a game more than two months ago and have struggled in the past few weeks, alongside the majority of amateur clubs, to obtain indoor training facilities. Despite a cobbled-together side, it was to the visitors' credit that they raced into a two-goal first half lead. Jamie Lipscombe's right-foot half-volley from the edge of the box opened the scoring and Stephen Swanson doubled Granton's advantage to stun Wishaw, before the hosts pulled one back before the interval.

"I was surprised we took the lead," says Vale manager Wayne Stevens. "We had a bit of a makeshift team, and the first half was pretty end-to-end stuff. Wishaw were a lot fitter and fresher, whereas we struggled to get a team together."

Stevens admitted afterwards that the lack of football and training in past weeks took its toll in the second half, and Wishaw drew level shortly after the restart before assuming the lead on 55 minutes.

"Really, after that, it was all about their determination and pace," added Stevens. "Our guys were a bit flat, and there were a few mistakes."

An own goal and a goalkeeping mistake gifted Wishaw a 5-2 advantage, before Gordon Wilson grabbed a third Granton strike to conclude proceedings.

Stevens feels his side at full strength would have been more than capable of overcoming their Lanarkshire opponents, but with four regulars out, the game was a stretch too far for his resilient reserves.

At least he and his Granton team can take heart from their form in Premier Division 1, which maintained a steady rate of success prior to the impromptu winter break.

"We're playing not bad and are halfway in the table," says Stevens. "We went five or six games unbeaten before the break, and are getting back on track."

The club also has cause for optimism off the pitch, where an imminent amalgamation with East of Scotland club Craigroyston - and subsequent change of name - at the end of the current campaign could open up increased funding and sponsorship options.

Stevens, who has served Granton Vale since its inception in 2002 and has acted as manager for the past four seasons, is also happy that the merger means his team will secure its own ground - at Silverknowes - and be able to shake off its 'nomads' tag.

"Now, we'll have a ground of our own on the promise that we change our name to Craigroyston Amateurs. We'll be part of Craigroyston's youth programme and, being part of a bigger outfit, there will be better sponsorship opportunities."

Scottish Amateur Cup Fourth Round: Tollcross Thistle 1, Kilsyth AFC 0; Wishaw HSFP 5, Granton Vale 3.

Fixtures: Alyth AFC v Livingston AFC, Uphall Station v East Kilbride or Inverclyde, Sandys v Baillieston Thistle, Milton AFC v Whitson Star, Kennoway v Broughton, Dunfermline City or Bervie Caledonian v Redhall Star, Edinburgh South Vics v Glasgow Nazarene.