Gala Fairydean Rovers 0 Gretna FC (2008) 4

SLFL 11.10.14

GALA FAIRYDEAN ROVERS                       0 (0)

GRETNA FC (2008)                            4 (2)

S. Milligan, C.Graham, D.Renyard,

B.Longcake.

Gretna travelled up the A7 to take on a Gala side determined to seek revenge for their defeat in the William Hill Scottish Cup game, which the Raydale outfit ran out 2-1 winners.

The “hoops” kicked off and immediately put the home side on the back foot. With the new pairing up front of Iain Anderson and latest signing ex Dalbeattie Star striker Scott Milligan the home defence had their work cut out and Gala keeper John Dodds by far the busier afternoon.

Gretna manager Stuart Rome made changes yet again to his line up, with a back four of Steven Rudd, Greig Thorburn, Ryan McGuffie and Alan Inglis, in midfield Brandon Longcake, Darren Addison, Connor Graham and David Renyard and Anderson and Milligan up front.

The game was totally dominated by Gretna and their attitude and commitment was greater than the home side and Jamie Greenall mostly a spectator during the afternoon.

Gala’s closest attempt on on goal was a speculative long ball into the Gretna area but Keith Lough’s header was well wide of the target. Gala’s Sean Paliczka was full of running but McGuffie and Inglis were always on hand to clear up any danger through the middle ably supported by Rudd and Thorburn down the flanks. The hard working centre midfield of Graham and Addison ensured the Gretna forwards seeing plenty of the ball and Iain Anderson creating several chances before his striking partner Milligan opened the scoring in the 15th.minute from an acute angle in the Gala box from a Longcake pass.

Gretna nearly added a second in the 17th.minute when Ryan McGuffie out jumped the home defence but Dodds saved his header on the goal line.

The game was played at a high tempo with Renyard and Longcake running at the home defence and both created problems for the Gala rearguard. In the 32nd.minute Gretna scored their second goal after a challenge on Anderson on the edge of the area the ball broke to Connor Graham and the young midfielder’s shot took a deflection off a defender and into the net from 30 yards, 0-2.

The home side were struggling and Gretna should have gone three up when Anderson was through but the big forward took a touch too many and Gala keeper Dodds smothered his shot.

Half time 0-2.

The second half started with Gretna on the attack and Renyard forced Dodds into an early save at the expense of a corner. Brandon Longcake was unlucky after his header crashed off the post from Addison’s corner kick. A huge let off for the home side but they had no answer to a sharp passing Gretna side who were full of running and the Gretna defence looked very comfortable with anything Gala had to offer.

Goal number three came in the 55th.minute when David Renyard found himself in space on the right and the Gretna winger fired the ball into the bottom right hand corner of Dodds’ net from around 35 yards, 0-3.

Milligan and Anderson continued to torment the home defence and the Gretna fans must be looking forward to seeing more of this striking duo in action.

In the 70th.minute a piece of Longcake magic down the left flank saw the young Gretna forward beat three defenders before unleashing a ferocious shot beyond Dodds and into the net, to give the visitors a four goal cushion.

At this stage of the game Gretna manager Stuart Rome made his first of three substitutions Mark Worrall on for David Renyard ,Jordan Barker for Iain Anderson and Danny Graham for Connor Graham. 

Gala should have scored in the final minute but a combination of Greenall and Inglis kept out the Gala attack.

F/T 0-4.

GRETNA FC (2008) :

J.Greenall, S.Rudd, G.Thorburn, R.McGuffie, A.Inglis, D.Addison, R.Renyard, C.Graham, I.Anderson, S.Milligan, B.Longcake. Subs : L.Todd, M.Worrall, J.Barker, A.Main, D.Graham, R.Halliday, G.Wright (GK).