Triumph in Pitlochry secures tie against Perth side

Vale of Atholl ........ 1 Strathearn Grove ... 2 who started on the bench, and the unavailable Lee Jack.

Dave McKay again took up his place between the sticks and he had to look lively early on as Vale started on the front foot on a playing surface at Pitlochry’s Recreation Ground that was decidedly treacherous following a persistent overnight downpour.

Grove’s back four of Connor Stewart, Andy Welsh, Callum Fraser and Ross Cramb were tested by some strong running from the home side but stood up well to the examination, giving the visitors a foundation to launch a few raids of their own.

The pace of Josh Roberts up front has proved a potent weapon this season for Grove and time and again he caused panic among Vale’s backline as he latched onto a series of inviting passes from his twin brother Lee along with his midfield colleagues Robson, Jamie Henry and Chris McGraw.

It was goal-less at half-time but Grove looked to be getting on top and with Josh Roberts and strike partner Kros Brown continuing to menace after the break a goal had to come, and did.

A neat exchange between Dale Robson and Josh Roberts led to the ball breaking to the midfielder eight yards out and Robson showed great composure to tuck the chance away to put Grove ahead on the hour.

Credit to Vale, though, they rallied after that blow and were back in the game minutes later when a superbly executed curling finish following a penalty box scramble left the impressive McKay helpless to make it 1-1.

That setback didn’t deter Grove in their quest, however, and they increasingly enjoyed possession in their opponents’ half and continued to make chances.

Eventually the Crieff side edged again when Josh Roberts broke free on the left and squared a great ball for Brown to convert from close in.

Roberts almost put the game out of Atholl’s reach altogether when he crashed a superb dipping strike off the crossbar from 20 yards, but Grove controlled most of the play in the closing stages and finished deserved winners.

Overall, it was a fine team performance from Grove that secured victory, something they will hope to repeat when they meet Second Division leaders Luncarty ASC in the semi-final of the West District Cup on Saturday.

The tie is scheduled to kick- off at 1.30pm with the venue either Braidhaugh or Strathearn Community Campus depending on the state of the respective playing surfaces.

Grove: McKay, Cramb, Fraser, A.Welsh, Stewart, L. Roberts, Henry, McGraw, Robson, J.Roberts, Brown. Subs: M.Welsh, McInally.

• Vale of Earn were without a game at the weekend and face Jeanfield at home in the league on Saturday this week.

Auchterarder Primrose, meanwhile, won 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 Perthshire Cup draw against Coupar Angus at the weekend.

The Lang Toon side have a free weekend this time around.