Tranent Athletic a step closer to Division One League Cup

Tranent knew they only needed a draw to progress and they managed to see the job done at The Jack Kane Centre

With only three teams competing in Group B including Roseburn Thistle who Tranent defeated 7-1 in their first game, the East Lothian side knew they just had to avoid defeat against Vale to advance to the last four.

David Wilson had the first chance for Vale after just five minutes but his rasping shot was saved by Stewart Ferrier in the Tranent goal.

Graeme Dudgeon then had a shot cleared off the line as Burgh started the game brightly but it was Tranent who came closest to breaking the deadlock after 15 minutes when John Brash flashed an effort across the face of goal, with Daniel Davie just failing to connect at the back post.

Brash was a constant menace to the Burgh defence throughout the 90 minutes despite playing with a swollen knee and he came close again on 21 minutes when he blasted over from inside the area.

Burgh’s Brent Falconer went close with another opportunity on the half hour mark but Ferrier thwarted him at his near post as the first half ended goalless with both sides lacking the killer touch in front of goal.

The opening 45 minutes saw both sides mostly restricted to shots from distance which failed to hit the target, and with player call-offs affecting both teams, there were no substitutes available.

Dudgeon had an effort that crept past the post at the start of the second half, before Brash headed over from a Davie corner.

Burgh’s Mark Baillie had a deflected shot that was held by Ferrier with Vale claiming for a handball.

The long awaited opener finally arrived on 62 minutes and it came for Tranent when Davie crossed into the area for Dean Saxby to slot in from five yards out despite the best efforts of Kieran Goulden to keep the ball out.

Three minutes later, Tranent missed a golden opportunity to double their advantage when Andy Dorran attempted to chip Goulden following a lofted ball over the top, but the keeper made a superb one handed save to block.

Athletic were now in the ascendancy following their goal with Brash firing over as he searched in vain for a goal his efforts deserved.

Wilson made a last ditch tackle to prevent Dorran from shooting but it was Vale who equalised on 76 minutes when Falconer scored from close range after a pin-point Douglas Murray cross.

Edward Houldridge then shot harmlessly over for Vale following a cross from Lee Anderson on 71 minutes, before Davie and Brash failed to capitalise on a Ross Cowan cross for Tranent as both sides frantically search for a second goal.

Burgh should probably have snatched the victory in the dying minutes with both Dudgeon and Houlbridge both shooting inches past the post, but it was the Tranent players who were the happiest at the final whistle as the draw ensured their progress.

Their potential semi-final opponents include Division One League Champions West End United, Stables FC, Broxburn AFC or Partizan FC.

Burgh Vale; Kieran Goulden, Lee Anderson, Nick Mappleback, Silvian Grosu, David Wilson, Mark Hogg, Douglas Murray, Graeme Dudgeon, Mark Baillie, Brent Falconer, Edward Houldridge.

Tranent Athletic; Stewart Ferrier, Robert Leishman, Alexander Van Del, Ross Cowan, Andy Dorran, John Brash, Dean Saxby, Stewart Hood, Daniel Davie, Blair Glynn, Vinnie Devine.