Footballing first as Vale of Leithen under-20s make debut

Manager Scott McArthur’s youngsters had been due to kick off their pre-season schedule with an away-day in Edinburgh against Pentland Athletic Amateurs the Saturday prior but that was called off, so Friday’s visit from upcoming East of Scotland Development League east region rivals Dunbar United under-20s ended up being their first run-out.

It went the way of the East Lothian outfit by 6-1, with Jay Miller putting four goals past home keeper Lewis Moffat on four minutes, 17, 43 and 51 and Jamie Brown and Noah Craigie also on the scoresheet on 21 and 34, though Alex Burns managed to get one back for their hosts on 77.

Vale’s development squad are one of three new under-20 sides in the Borders, along with those being run by Gala Fairydean Rovers and Linton Hotspur.

They’ve got two more warm-ups to go before they start their maiden season away to Midlothian’s Newtongrange Star under-20s on Friday, August 14, with kick-off at 7.45pm, and they’re at home to Stenhousemuir’s under-19s this coming Saturday and away to Hotspur’s under-20s on Friday, August 7, starting at 1pm and 7.30pm.