Edinburgh City 1

SOUTH CHALLENGE CUP

Dave Ryce reports from Victoria Park

UNDER normal circumstances, the kind of player crisis faced by Vale going into this match would have assured virtually anyone turning up with a pair of boots of a place on the bench at the very least.

Alas, rules dictating that only signed players are eligible for a cup tie meant the Vale side, missing no fewer than seven regulars, picked itself.

Back into the fold came Steven Whiteford for his first taste of action in more than three months, alongside Ross McManus and Aaron Somerville, both of whom were less than 100 per cent, fitness-wise. Additionally, coach Jack Diamond was registered as a player in time to take his place as the only substitute.

A dispiriting afternoon seemed in store, but against all odds the makeshift side turned in a fantastic performance that pushed one of the top sides in the East of Scotland set-up all the way.

Vale took the game to their opponents from the first whistle, with Ronald Fleming the first to let City keeper Duncan Monteith know that he was in for a busy afternoon, with a stinging drive in only the fourth minute.

In the 22nd minute, Vale's Ryan McManus exchanged passes with Somerville to find himself with only Monteith standing between him and glory. The midfielder elected to round the goalkeeper, allowing Monteith to force him wide and eventually gather the ball.

A couple of minutes later Somerville slipped a pass inside to Mike MacKale, but his shot was held by Monteith. This was closely followed by a superb passing move by Vale which ended with Somerville sending the ball whistling wide.

During the first half Edinburgh City's goal threat had mainly consisted of speculative shots from distance, but the capital side came out all guns blazing at the start of the second.

Within three minutes they had taken the lead as Jordan Caddow, the best City player on display, crossed for top-scorer Robbie Ross to nip into a gap in the Vale defence to poke home from six yards.

As the Citizens went in search of another the Vale defence held firm, as shots from Jamie Speed and Kevin Morrison were cleared off the line by Ray Fleming and Ross Alexander. Keeper Mark Wilson stood up well to an effort from Neil Campbell, while Ross flashed a header wide from a Campbell centre. Next, Ross McManus was fortunately on hand to hook a header from substitute Drew Calladine out of the goalmouth.

But rather than just grimly hanging on for an honourable narrow defeat, the Innerleithen men staged a late rally, as Robbie Clark poked the ball wide of the upright following good work by Ryan McManus.

A superb ball from Scott Johnston put Somerville in on goal, but his attempted lob dropped wide of the target. Johnston got in on the act himself as he rose to meet an Alexander free kick, but couldn't get enough on his header to put it past Monteith.

Vale of Leithen: M. Wilson; Ron Fleming, Ross McManus, R. Alexander, S.