Vale’s quick rematch
Vale of Leithen must be cursing their luck after being handed a league match with East Kilbride this weekend.
Following the 9-1 humiliation in the Scottish Cup, Vale will host leaders Kilby on Saturday after their scheduled matches were both postponed due to host Hawick Royal Albert and Civil Service Strollers playing a Scottish Cup replay.
The fixture between EK and Vale scheduled for January 21, 2017 has been brought forward.
Kilby boss Martin Lauchlan, though, is taking nothing for granted as his side aim to maintain their 100 per cent record.
He said: “We are looking forward to the game, but Saturday’s result will have no bearing on it.
“It’s a completely different competition and we’ll treat it just like any other game. They’ll still be hurting and sometimes it’s dangerous when you face a wounded animal, so we’ll not be taking them lightly.”
Martin Lauchlan reckons his East Kilbride strike force were “unplayable” on Saturday as they vanquished Vale of Leithen in the Scottish Cup.
Kilby roared back from a goal down to fire NINE past the visitors with Joao Victoria grabbing a hat-trick, Robbie Winters and Adam Strachan both netting doubles and Fabio Capuano and Declan Hughes also scoring.
The emphatic win extended Kilby’s winning run under Lauchlan to an incredible 21 games, while they can also boast 11 straight wins in all competitions this season – a record only surpassed by Highland League side Buckie Thistle on 13 wins.
And Kilby boss Lauchlan insists his latest victory, four goals short of East Kilbride’s club record 13-0 win over Creetown, is the best of his reign after his strikers produced a masterclass in finishing.
He told the News: “In terms of goals and our attacking performance that’s the best we’ve played.
“The way the front three played, they were just unplayable at times.
“Robbie rolling back the years was magnificent and gave us a different dimension. His lay-offs, fitness, and running the channels was outstanding.
“Joao, after a couple of weeks without a goal, was on fire and scored a great hat-trick. And Adam Strachan showed great quality every time he touched the ball.
“We actually started quite slow and