Gretna FC (2008) 4 Vale of Leithen 1

S.L.F.L.

Gretna FC (2008). 4 (2)

I.Anderson, S.Milligan, D.Addison, A.Inglis.

Vale of Leithen.      1 (0)

K.Mitchell

Gretna manager Stuart Rome's side on a winning run of eight games in a row were looking to extend that to nine and to keep the pressure on long time league leaders Edinburgh City, who they meet next Saturday in a top of the table clash at Meadowbank Stadium.

Gretna got off to a flying start taking the lead in the 7th. minute when Vale's Ross Brady gave away a penalty after a rash challenge on Gretna hit man Ian Anderson. The big centre forward cooly placed the ball into the back of the net sending Vale keeper Mark Wilson the wrong way, 1-0.

The home side looked the hungrier of the two sides and up front Anderson along with Scott Milligan were creating plenty of chances being well supported by Brandon Longcake on the left, Adam Main through the middle  and Joe Slattery on the right.

The second goal for the " hoops" came when Slattery fed the ball behind the visitors defence into the path of Anderson who dragged two defenders wide of the box before finding his strike partner Milligan who fired the ball into the net, 2-0.

Vale had little opportunity to get back into the game with Gretna captain Alan Inglis and Dave Wallace commanding their own penalty area with Jonny Blake, Darren Addison and Connor Graham adding to the strength in midfield. In the 35th.minute Graham tried a long range effort but Wilson was on hand to make a good save.

Vale's best chance fell to Kris Mitchell but his shot cleared the Loanwath Road stand. Just before the interval Wilson produced a fantastic save when he clawed away a Milligan free kick. H/T 2-0.

At the start of the second half Vale got a goal back after a mistake by Gretna keeper Graham Wright when his clearance kick was blocked by Kris Mitchell and the Vale forward hit the back of the unguarded Gretna net from 35 yards out, 2-1.

Gretna went close when Connor Graham saw his delicate chip hit the underside of the crossbar and come out this was after Longcake had escaped the attentions of two defenders before laying the ball off to Graham.

Wilson was in action again this time saving low down from a Longcake drive.Rome made his first change in the 65th.minute with Greig Thorburn replacing Slattery.

The home side restored their two goal lead after Thorburn found Anderson on the edge of the Vale box. Anderson evaded several defenders before sliding the ball to Addison who hit the ball low into the corner of the net, 3-1.

Goal number four came after Wilson had denied Milligan from point blank range at the expense of a corner. Poor marking by the visitors allowed Graham's in-swinging corner to find Gretna captain Inglis who had the simplest of headed goals from just under the bar, 4-1.

Rome made his final substitutions with ten minutes to go, Danny Graham and Robson Halliday for Connor Graham and Darren Addison. With two minutes left Anderson was denied by Wilson when the keeper caught the ball on the line after Blake's cross was bulleted towards goal off the big number nine's head. F/T 4-1

Gretna FC (2008) :

G.Wright, J.Blake, C,Graham, D.Wallace, A.Inglis, D.Addison, B.Longcake, A.Main, I.Anderson, S.Milligan, J.Slattery. Subs: D.Graham, R.Halliday, G.Thorburn, J.Barker, S.Atkinson.

Vale of Leithen :

M.Wilson, R.Sclater, J.Gill, J.Elliott, J.Blaikie, E.Sanderson, R.Brady, K.O'Brien, A.Hunter, K.Mitchell, D.White. Subs: S.Lynch, J.Stevens, I.Little, M.Beveridge.