FOOTBALLERS from two Selkirk businesses helped raise £225 for Melrose FC and the Margaret Kerr Palliative Care Unit at the Borders General Hospital, in memory of former colleague Greg Alexander, writes Kenny Paterson.
Spark Energy triumphed over rivals HGS with a 3-2 victory on Sunday at the Netherdale 3G Arena in Galashiels.
It was the second time the match had taken place, and was played exactly two years after Greg, 23, a former HGS employee from Selkirk, died.
The game was a hard-fought battle with HGS taking an early lead through a very well-struck shot from the edge of the box by Rory Twase which nestled in the top right corner of the Spark goal.
Colin Turnbull levelled the score with a superb volley from a corner, and the big defender put the Spark team into the lead when he netted yet another stunning volley from a perfectly weighted Scott Rodger cross.
The equalising HGS goal came from a Malky Smith penalty following the craziest goalmouth scramble.
The ball hit both posts, the crossbar, the keeper made two saves, and three defenders each made goal-line clearances before Spark captain Johnny Muir, whilst lying across the goal line, stopped the ball with his hand after being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
He was not red-carded, but Smith despatched the resultant spot kick.
The remainder of the match was wide open, with both teams creating many chances and it was not until injury time that the winner was struck.
Kyle Robertson broke free only to see his shot rattle the crossbar, but Jory Robertson’s first-time volley from the rebound found the bottom right hand corner to win the game for Spark.
Raymond Fenton of Melrose FC, and Graham Godsell of Spark and Abbotsford Albion FC, said: “We cannot thank everyone enough for their efforts.
“We hope that this being the second annual match will not be the last and that we can attract more players to future games.”
The final total raised from the game had yet to be finalised as TheSouthern went to press.