Vale cup hopes are crushed
But Grove make progress
Vale of Earn endured a tough night in the quarter-final of the Ashleigh Cup on Tuesday.
Without a game at the weekend, the Crieff side’s plan going into the match in Perth was to contain the home side early.
This worked until the 20th minute, when Letham scored from a free-kick.
They went on to score another three before halftime, meaning the hosts were 4-0 up at the break.
This was tough on Vale as, despite the scoreline, they had worked hard.
They hoped a tactical switch in the second half would reverse the one-way traffic.
But it was not to be on a night where the visiting side’s effort could not be faulted
Letham are a top quality side and will take some stopping in Division One this season.
Team: Knox, Myles, Ritchie, Cassidy, G Brock,
Klawikowski, Brown, Dawson, Taylor, R Brock and Webster. Subs: Gunn, Gillies, MacPhee, Cooper and Cramb.
Vale are at home to Bridge of Earn in the semifinal of the West District Cup on Saturday. Kick-off 1.30pm.
Strathearn Grove were in action against Kettins on Tuesday night and went down 2-0 against the men from east Perthshire.
There was better news for the local lads on Saturday, however, as they beat Blair Thistle 2-1 at home in the President’s Cup.
Looking for their fifth win in six games prior to the match, Grove started well and controlled most of the game.
The Thistle keeper made save after save, proving his worth to the newly-formed Division Three side.
Grove took the lead late in the first half with an own
goal. It took a penalty and Blair’s only shot on target for the visitors to make it 1-1.
But a tactical change by the Grove manager saw Donald Crerar head home in the closing minutes.
Grove: Mckay, Cramb, Fender, Dewar, Fraser, Roberts, McGraw, Robson, Henry, Brown and Roberts. Subs: Crerar, Welsh, Gill, Titterington, Mcgougan and Jack.
Grove are away to Vale of Atholl in the Consolation Cup on Saturday. Kick-off 1.30pm.
Auchterarder Primrose won 5- 2 at home in Division One against Ballinluig on Saturday.
The side were without any midweek games and are at home again on Saturday this week.
They face Perth outfit Jeanfield in the semi-final of the Smith League Cup at the Lang Toon’s Public Park. It s a 1.30pm kick-off.