Gala Hotspur 1 Hearts of Liddesdale 2
WADDELL CUP QUARTER FINALS
INJURY-hit Gala Hotspur exited the Waddell Cup at the quarter finals, despite a spirited performance against Division B high fliers Hearts of Liddesdale.
Playing on one of Netherdale’s fiery back pitches, Gala suffered an early blow when centre half Richard Ramage had to be substituted with a shoulder injury.While Gala reshuffled their backline, Hearts capitalised and scored through Daniel Brough.
But Spurs fought back and Lee Brown struck a 30-yard shot which the visitors’ goalkeeper could only palm into the net.
The Newcastleton side were back in front soon after in controversial circumstances when Brough appeared to be fouled outside the penalty area by Spurs stopper Scott Crawford, only for referee Allan Rome to point to the spot. Crawford had to leave the field with a serious facial injury and Dean Thomson scored the resultant penalty past sub goalie Glen Murray.
Luke Gierus and Dean Keddie went close before half time for Gala but failed to find the net.
Spurs failed to force extra time in the second half but Hearts, who looked dangerous throughout on the break, could not give themselves a more comfortable win, with Murray and centre half David Akrigg both impressive.