Published: Wednesday, 19th March, 2008 11:00
Stevie's King of the Rovers
By David Knox at Victoria Park
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Dougie Bond is on his way for Gala Rovers' opening goal.
Pic by: John Robertson
Gala Rovers 3 v Monteith 3 (Gala Rovers win 3-0 on penalties)
HERO ‘keeper Stevie King handed his Rovers team-mates a place in the South of Scotland Amateur Cup final for the second consecutive year.
After 120 minutes of pulsating football, the goalie produced three-wonder stops from Monteith’s penalty takers.
And with Steven Noble, Paul McKay and Craig Pinnons all scoring from the spot, it was Gala Rovers who reached the final.
King told the Border Telegraph: “I made the saves but hats off to all of the boys. Everyone, including the substitutes worked their socks off.”
After only 10 minutes it looked as though Bruce Noble and Keith Bell’s side would stroll into the final.
Dougie Bond had latched onto a Brian Wilson clearance to calmly fire beyond keeper Callum Campbell for the opener.
And a couple of minutes later Craig Middlemiss diverted Craig Pinnon’s cross over the line for the second.
But the Carstairs team were far from beaten as they pulled a goal back on 15 minutes through the impressive Ian McBratney.
And for long periods of the first half it was Monteith who were on top, looking more assured with a fast-passing game.
But despite the 2004 winners dominating possession, it was Gala who should have found the net again just before the break.
Middlemiss threaded Bob Noble through on goal but the winger curled his shot round the wrong side of the post.
The introduction of Liam Hardie for the second half seemed to inspire the Rovers – and again they appeared to be getting back on top.
Both teams threw players forward at every opportunity although it wasn’t until the 78th minute for a clear chance to be created. Kyle Collins played a perfect pass into the path of Martin Gibson but a fantastic recovery tackle by Douglas Millar denied the young striker hitting the target.
Monteith equalized with only 4 minutes of time remaining – and it was McBratney again who blasted low beneath King.
The added half hour was always going to be a survival of the fittest – and to the coaching staff’s credit it was the Rovers who were by far the better team.
But, against the run of play, McBratney danced round King to slot the Lanarkshire side into the lead on the 100th minute.
Pinnons twice had efforts cleared off the line and Gibson forced Campbell into a spectacular save as Gala laid siege on the Monteith goal .
The chances continued for the Rovers with Steven Noble and Paul McKay both going within inches of an equalizer.
But in the final minute of added time up popped the unlikeliest of heroes – Brian Wilson.
The towering center half barged himself through a quagmire of players to blast the ball high into the net during a goalmouth scramble.
They say a penalty shoot out is a lottery – but with King in goals the balls were certainly loaded in Gala Rovers’ favour.
Co-manager Keith Bell was delighted to reach the final yet again.
He said: “We made the final last year and hopefully we can go one better this time and win it.
“I thought the boys were tremendous to win – they just never gave up.”
It’s 44 years since Gala Rovers last lifted the South Cup – it may only be a month or so until they do it again.
Gala Rovers S King, B Aitchison, R Ramage, S Noble, B Wilson, R Noble (L Hardie 46), C Pinnons, D Bond (P McKay 64), C Middlemiss (M Gibson 75), G Nicol & K Collins.
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