Abbey Vale's SFA South Region Challenge Cup hopes blown away by Dalkeith Thistle defeat

Abbey Vale’s SFA South Region Challenge Cup hopes were blown away by Dalkeith Thistle on Saturday.

The East of Scotland League second division side left Maryfield Park with a 3-0 victory and a place in the next round.

And Vale gaffer Allan Clark reckoned his side didn’t get to grip with the conditions.

He said: “We just couldn’t quite read the wind. It was a strong wind from goal to goal. We had it behind our backs and everything was overhit in the final third.

“We went 2-0 down with a misjudged header for the first one and the second was from a corner we should have dealt with better.

“It’s two soft goals to give away but we were completely in the game at that point. We felt we could still win the tie against the wind but within five minutes of the second half we gave away another cheap goal and it’s game over.

“It’s disappointing as the game was there to be won.”

Lewis Russell and Elliot Grieve both struck as half-time approached to deal Vale a double blow.

And hopes of a comeback were as good as ended minutes into the second half when Ross Aitchison scored a penalty.

Clark said: “We need to start learning. It’s the last three games we’ve been hit at bad times. We can’t keep going chasing games. It’s maybe because the team is a bit unsettled. We’re missing boys and we’re missing some of their leadership.

“We’re slowly starting to get some back and in another two weeks the majority should be back.

“At the same time, the squad that’s there on game days should be doing well enough to be competitive. Unfortunately in the last three games I don’t think we have been.”

Saturday sees Vale make the trip to Castle Cary Park to face Creetown and Clark added: “We’ve got a couple of tough games coming up,