Border Telegraph | Sport | Derby clash not for the faint-hearted

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 22nd February, 2006 10:31

Derby clash not for the faint-hearted

By Border Telegraph Sport

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FOOTBALLING derbies don’t come any more heated than what Gala Fairydean and Selkirk usually offer.

The teams have rarely met in recent years with the Fairies being a league above the Souters for almost a decade.

And the occasional cup clash that has been thrown up almost inevitably results in a bad-tempered battle.

But the near neighbours are now in the same division, and Saturday’s square-go could make or break Selkirk’s season.

Manager Fraser Lothian said: “We are up into third in the league and going pretty well. If we play how we have been I don’t think we have anything to fear from Gala.

“We will take the game to them and be positive in our approach. It’s a big game, but we are at home and I am confident of taking all three points.

“If we want promotion we have to beat teams like Gala.”

Lothian will be without his son, Gary, who is suspended, and Ross Moffat is struggling with an injury from Saturday’s victory against Coldstream.

Selkirk are hoping to sign Duns teenager Douglas Brydon to help them in the race for promotion.

Fairies boss Scott McFarlane has resigned himself to the fact that his team won’t be heading for the premier league this season.

But he still wants to see his team as high up the league as they can manage. He said: “We have had too many draws to be in with a realistic chance of promotion, but I still want us to go out and win every game we play.

“We haven’t played Selkirk yet, but I don’t think we have anything to fear from them. It is a local derby and we are all looking forward to it.”

Influential player Ritchie Johnstone faces a race against time to be fit to play on Saturday following knee surgery at the end of last year.

His manager added: “One of the reasons we are not challenging for the league is because we have missed Ritchie. It will be a big bonus having him back.”

Saturday’s clash at Yarrow Park has a 2.30pm, kick off.

Gala entertain giant-killers Spartans next Thursday evening in the Image Printers Cup.

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