Gala Fairydean 5
Duns 1
SBJFA UNDER-17s LEAGUE
GALA Fairydean coach Kenny Donaldson hailed his under-17 team who clinched the SBJFA league title with a fine win over Duns.
The young Fairies required just a point to reclaim the championship last won by Gala two seasons ago, but looked nervy in the first half as the Dingers competed well to hold their hosts at half-time.
But four goals in the second period, including a hat-trick from Danny Bolton, saw the league trophy return to Netherdale.
Coach Donaldson said: “It has been a rollercoaster season. We started really well, but then had a dip in form.
However, in the last four or five games we have played some of our best football and it is great for the boys to get the title at the end of it.”
Gala took the lead on 15 minutes as Bolton linked up with Duncan Kemp to finish off a well-worked move.
But the visitors fought back and notched a deserved equaliser five minutes later when a 20yd shot found the bottom corner of the net past Gala keeper Ian Tennant.
Half-time saw the introduction of Shaun Keane and the striker added pace up front which caused Duns backline problems and almost immediately paid off for the hosts.
It was Bolton again who broke through on 50 minutes and lifted the ball over the Duns goalkeeper to regain the lead.
Cameron Gowans then finished off the Berwickshire visitors, who were tiring in the scorching heat, with two close-range headers.
And to seal the victory, Keane set up Bolton to produce another neat finish.
Gala Fairydean U17s: I. Tennant, J. Little, J. Lawson, D. Scott, C. Nicholson, C. Johnston, D. Howell, D. Kemp, D. Bolton, F. Hoitze, C. Gowans. Subs used: E. Nelson, C. French, T. Maben, S. Keane.