Berwick Rangers Reserves 0
Gala Fairydean 3
EoS FIRST DIVISION
GALA Fairydean defender Gary Lothian may have endured a painful night’s sleep on Saturday night – but it was surely worth it as his team secured a fine away win at Berwick Rangers Reserves.
And coach Garry Fraser paid tribute to Lothian and his team-mates for their fine performance.
Fraser said: “I have never seen the boys work so hard.
“They were throwing themselves in front of shots and at one point Gary Lothian stopped three shots in 10 seconds. He had three red football marks still on his body at the end of the game.
“But we also played some good football. The first goal was a great passing move and Grant Gass’ flick to Jack Hay for the second was a great piece of skill.”
Missing Alan Jackson and Aaron Brunton, Gala started with Gass up front and the move paid off, as the former Selkirk midfielder grabbed a first-half double.
However, Berwick threatened first and hit the post through a cross-cum-shot from Sam Young early in the game.
Gala weathered more pressure before coming into the game and took the lead from a Jay Wilson cross that Gass managed to get onto his right foot – his half-hit shot finding the net.
The Fairies doubled their lead from another right-wing cross that Gass skilfully deflected into the path of Jack Hay, who scored from a narrow angle.
The visitors were now completely in the ascendancy and from a Geri Rossi cross, Gass had time to look up before chipping the ball over the Berwick keeper.
The Shielfield Park side attacked in the second half, but Gala defended stoutly when required, putting their bodies on the line to keep their goal intact to such effect that stopper Elliot Turnbull barely had a shot to save.
At the other end, Jack Hay squandered two good chances to extend Gala’s lead.
Gala Fairydean: E. Turnbull, G. Hay, A. Brown, P. Young (A Stavert 80), G. Lothian, B. Hunter (R. Hewitson 75), C. Tyson, G. Gass, G. Rossi, J. Hay, J. Wilson.