Gala Fairydean Rovers 7

Vale of Leithen 0

Kenny Paterson at Netherdale

GALA hat-trick hero Jack Hay paid tribute to on-loan Hibs midfielder Aaron Scott as Fairydean Rovers recorded their biggest ever competitive win over ten-man Vale of Leithen.

Scott has shown glimpses of his talents since arriving at Netherdale in January, but he was dominant throughout the 90 minutes, playing his part in the first four Gala goals as his team romped to victory.

And with Scott helping Hay to double his tally to six goals in six games since returning to Gala, it was little surprise he was quick to praise the Hibs midfielder.

Hay said: “Aaron’s passing was brilliant. He really put us on the front foot and deserves the plaudits he received.

“I am delighted to get a hat-trick and its an important win for us against a local rival after our disappointing performance at Whitehill.

“I am enjoying my football at Gala and hopefully we can end the season on a high.”

Very few people would have predicted this result before the game, with Gala coming off a 3-0 defeat to Whitehill Welfare the week before and missing experienced trio Jamie Gibson, Stuart Noble and Dean McColm.

Meanwhile, Vale had thrashed Broomhill 5-0 the week before and must have fancied making it two wins in a row with a strong starting XI.

But it was Gala who proved victorious, thanks in part to the hot-headed Ross Brady.

After fouling Scott for a clear penalty in the 36th minute, Brady appeared to push referee Simon McLean, immediately receiving a red card. It later emerged he was shown another red for swearing at the official.

From the spot, captain Billy Miller scored and Gala were on their way.

Vale suffered another blow when Jason Stevens was forced off with a shoulder injury but it could have been different had last week’s hat-trick hero Adam Robertson not blasted over a superb chance a minute before the break.

Instead, right on half time, the ever-improving Taylor Hope was left completely unmarked to head in Scott’s cross and double the Gala lead.

The goal of the game, and perhaps Gala’s season, arrived just before the hour mark when a slick passing move ended with Ross Aitchison’s pass slicing open the Vale defence for Scott, who unselfishly squared the ball to Hay to score.

Scott was again involved in the fourth goal as his pass allowed Miller to set up Hay for his second.

And Hay completed a 16-minute treble when he capitalised on Ben Herdman’s cross with a well-taken header on 74 minutes.

Vale’s ten men were showing no resistance by this time, giving substitute Hagen Steele the chance to grab his first goals for the club.

The first on 80 minutes was the result of Aitchison being fouled by Vale goalkeeper Andy McQueen, with Steele stepping up to score from the spot.

And with three minutes to go, he produced an outstanding curling finish past the helpless McQueen for goal number seven.

Gala Fairydean Rovers: M. Wilson, L. Stephen (H. Steele 60), B. Miller, T. Hope, S. Main, B. Herdman (M. Allan 75), A. Scott, D. Bonnar, J. Hay, R. Aitchison, R. Lamb.

Vale of Leithen: A. McQueen, J. Gill, R. Brady, D. McLeod, J. Elliot, S. Lynch, L. McIntosh, J. Stevens (A. Flanagan 43), A. Robertson, K. McLeod (S. Elliot 70), C. Jackson.