Border Telegraph | Sport | Late winner best start to party centenary

Saturday, 17th May, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 30th April, 2008 09:00

Late winner best start to party centenary

By Ally McGilvray at Netherdale

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Paul Hossack scores the equaliser for Gala Fairydean.

Pic by: Alwyn Johnston

Gala Fairydean 2, Edinburgh Athletic 1

A LAST-gasp winner by striker Jamie Gibson netted Gala Fairydean a win to kick-start their centenary celebrations at the weekend.

The former Berwick Rangers youngster pounced on a poor goal-kick by Edinburgh Athletic keeper Chris Barclay to score the decisive goal in the final minute of the match.

He blocked the kick out before turning and poking the ball into the back of an empty net.

Midfielder Paul Hossack had earlier equalised the scores for the ‘Dean after towering centre-back Neil Ewart headed home a corner to give the visitors the lead in the East of Scotland League Division One clash at Netherdale on Saturday.

However, the home side were almost denied a victory after a refereeing blunder robbed them of a penalty when Mark Stieger appeared to bring down Hossack in the box.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph after the full-time whistle, Gala Fairydean co-manager Bryan Templeton said: “If you want to win things you have to win ugly sometimes and that was a terrible performance.

“We never got going at all but they didn’t really threaten. I think Gavin Watson (goalkeeper) only touched the ball twice in the second half.”

But he added: “If we want to challenge for things we should be beating teams like that quite comfortably.”

With Gala captain Shane Greene suspended, keeper Gavin Watson took over the captaincy. And he was quickly called into to action to deny Val Chisholm at the near post.

However, Edinburgh’s Mike Olsson whipped in the resultant corner kick from the far side and Ewart rose highest to open the scoring.

In the 24th minute, Stieger floored Hossack two yards inside the penalty area but, despite appearing to point to the spot, referee Paul Hanlon awarded a free-kick to the ‘Dean on the edge of the area and Kevin Matheson’s effort was tipped round the post.

A minute before the interval, Gala equalised the scores after forcing two corners in quick succession.

Pacey winger Paul Mackay swung in a corner and Hossack netted on the rebound at the back post after his first effort was cleared off the line.

And, as the pitch became as scrappy as the game, Gibson went on to score the winner to start the celebrations ahead of the centenary dinner to mark the club’s 100th birthday later that night.

Gala Fairydean: Watson, Macdonald (Robinson 62), Wood, Mackenzie, Riddle, Hossack, Mackay (Hewitson 84), Wilson, Sutherland, Gibson, Matheson. Unused subs: Dunn, Gass. Booked: Riddle, Hossack, Wilson.

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