Lowland League | Brown downs Vale in Borders win

Posted on Tuesday, November 16th, 2021

Sean Brown grabbed a late winner as Spartans notched up their second victory of the week as they overcame a stubborn Vale of Leithen 1-2 at Victoria Park.

Alan Brown returned to the bench alongside the teenage tangerine duo Lennon Walker and Finn Robson and Blair Henderson slotted back into the starting line-up.

It was the latter who was to open the scoring with 12 minutes on the clock when he was on hand to nudge the ball over the line after the Vale keeper turned a potential own goal off the bar.

The basement side were then to draw level just four minutes later in controversial circumstances as Luke Cormack appeared to collect the ball behind the last line of Spartans defence (i..e. two yards offside) but the youngster paid heed to the old adage of playing the whistle and he ran on to slide the ball beyond Blair Carswell.

There were differences of opinion in the technical areas as tempers frayed and fingers were pointed and the supporters harrumphed in equal order.

Sean Brown then found the side net after midfield hustling by Captain Ian McFarland as Spartans looked to regain the lead.

They thought they’d done so via Blair Henderson who headed home from a Jamie Dishington cross, but much to the striker’s bewilderment, he was pinged for a push, despite a lack of remonstration from the home defender on being fouled.

HT: Vale of Leithen 1-1 The Spartans

The sun dipped behind the hills and the floodlights were on full as the players emerged from the sheds for the second half.

Spartans had a massive shout for a penalty kick shortly after the break only for it to be waved away. Then Cammy Russell put in a cross for Kevin Waugh who headed over from close range.

There was a brace of changes on the hour from the Spartans bench as Walker and Robson replaced Jones and Russell.

Play was then held up as the Referee took a tumble following a Vale clearance that took him by surprise and clock him right on the coupon.

Alan Brown then replaced Gregor Woods as the game went into the final quarter.

With fifteen minutes left on the clock, Spartans went ahead for the second – and final – time. Blair Henderson’s headed through ball landed into the path of Sean Brown who rounded the keeper to slot into the empty net.

A snap shot by Walker then flashed past the post as Spartans looked to put some light between the sides as it faded around Victoria Park.

FT: Vale of Leithen 1-2 The Spartans