Gala Rovers strengthened their fans’ faith on Saturday with a dramatic fightback against last year’s league champions.
But it was Pencaitland who surged into a two-goal lead via strikes by Cunningham and Bucket. And although Kyle Collins came close to reducing the deficit, the hosts bagged a third shortly before the break.
Stuart Noble came off the bench for Rovers in the 50th minute and 18 minutes later the Borderers pulled a goal back – thanks to a Des Sutherland overhead bicycle kick. He went on to complete a hat-trick in 10 minutes to send this Sanderson Cup semi-final into extra time.
Sutherland was on target again in the eighth minute of extra time, tucking a free kick into the top right-hand corner of the net. A minute later Steven Noble’s cross found Sutherland who netted his fifth.
Pencaitland reduced the leeway to 5-4 just before the first period of extra time ended, but Gala clinched their final place when Stuart Noble slotted home goal number six.