Vale of Leithen boss vows not to go down without a fight as Lowland League’s basement team suffer 11th defeat on trot

Vale of Leithen player-manager Chris Anderson is backing his team to beat the drop again this season despite slumping to their 11th defeat on the trot.
Vale of Leithen's player-manager, Chris Anderson, during a previous game against Cumbernauld Colts. Photo: Bill McBurnieVale of Leithen's player-manager, Chris Anderson, during a previous game against Cumbernauld Colts. Photo: Bill McBurnie
Vale of Leithen's player-manager, Chris Anderson, during a previous game against Cumbernauld Colts. Photo: Bill McBurnie

A 3-0 loss to Edinburgh’s Civil Service Strollers on Saturday, November 28, leaves the Innerleithen side stuck at the bottom of the Scottish Lowland Football League without any points after 11 games, having conceded 49 goals and scored five.

That was the Borderers’ lowest margin of defeat since a 4-1 loss away to Stirling University in October, though, and they are only four points behind the next two teams above them, Edinburgh University in 16th place and Dumfries and Galloway’s Dalbeattie Star in 15th, so Anderson isn’t giving up hope of a revival of fortunes yet.

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“During my five years as a manager in the Lowland League, we have been tipped every year to go down,” said the 33-year-old in a statement issued on the club’s website, valeofleithen.co.uk

“Every year, people have a go at the club as being too small for this league. Every year, they say the players aren’t good enough and the facilities aren’t good enough, and ultimately the manager is responsible.

“I’m sorry to disappoint the armchair fans that have never kicked a ball in their life or the powers that be that put every obstacle in our way possible, but we are not giving up without a fight.”

The former Berwick Rangers and Gala Fairydean Rovers striker added: “We have a young side that hangs in the balance of confidence.

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“I brought them in because they have talent, and one win can turn our season around.

“We have a few who know what it takes to avoid the drop but some who need to learn quickly.

“It’s not formations or tactics that will keep us up – it’s heart and desire. Those things will never change in football.

“We have games we can win coming up and we are going to give 100% for sure.”

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Vale’s next game is away to Edinburgh University this Saturday, December 5, at 3pm, offering them a chance to close the gap between the league’s two bottom teams to a single point.

The students have won one and drawn one of their 11 games so far, losing the other nine and have shipped 34 goals, scoring five in reply.