Gala Fairydean 2
Berwick Rangers Reserves 0
EoS FIRST DIVISION
GALA produced their sixth win in seven matches on their new playing surface on Saturday.
Rangers keeper Connor Wood was pressed into immediate action, denying Scott Nightingale twice.
The lively Jack Hay was generally well policed, though he wriggled his way through in the 20th minute, only for Wood to make another good save.
At the other end, Elliot Turnbull saved with his feet from the onrushing Daniel Carter. Michael Robinson skirted round defender Paul Young, laying the ball back to Shaun Hill, but the captain’s aim was poor.
Seconds before half-time, Wood dove forward to intercept Hay’s low cross to nobody in particular. He couldn’t secure possession and trialist Martin put the ball into his own net while trying to hook it away.
Six minutes into the second half, Nightingale, on the end of a Hay pass forced Wood into making a great one-handed save.
Nightingale raced through again and Wood narrowed the angle, but the ball was spun left to Paul Young, who hit the empty net.
More good goalkeeping stopped Nightingale and Wood was lucky when Hay shot wide.
Earlier, when working his way close to goal in Berwick’s most dangerous move of the game, Callum Hill was booked for bringing down the challenging Paul Young. Andrew Brown’s 30yd angled volley rattled Wood’s crossbar before Berwick finished with a flourish.
There would be no late joy, however, as Hill was not the first Ranger to blast over. Nor could Sam Young make headway inside a crowded penalty area, following further industry from Callum Hill.
Gala Fairydean: E. Turnbull, C. Jeffrey, M. Fairburn, P. Young, G. Lothian, C. Tyson, A. Brown, G. Rossi, S. Nightingale (R. Shepard), J. Hay (G. Hay), G. Gass.