• Selkirk 3
  • Spartans XI 1

FORMER Gretna striker Gary McCormack admits Selkirk have a lot of improving to do if they want to be serious challengers in the Lowland League.

The new addition to Garry O’Conner’s squad was talking after his team slogged over the finishing line against the amateur team of Spartans last Wednesday evening.

McCormack, who netted his fourth goal in two games during the win, admitted: “I’m not as fit as where I want to be and I thought we were all pretty slow tonight.

“If we are to keep playing like that we’d be given a few lessons in the league.

“We will improve and we have already showed how well we can play as a team against Wallsend on the Saturday.

“Tonight wasn’t good enough but it’s best to get these performances out the way now.”

Having rattled in nine goals during a dominant display just four days earlier against Wallsend Boys Club, another goal-fest was expected against Spartans amateurs.

But the sluggish performance during a drab first half had fans waiting until the half hour mark for the first effort on goal.

When it eventually came, James Harley’s header was well saved by Chris Robertson in the Spartans goal.

Murray Christie’s reverse pass to Ross King was slammed a foot wide a few minutes later.

And just before the break McCormack drilled a low shot past the post.

The best save of the half had come at the other end as Danny Ballam broke clear only for Daniel Terry to produce an excellent block.

Apart from the eagerness of King around the middle of the park, some impressive passing from Andrew Fleming and the improving form of the keeper, there was little else to encourage the Selkirk support.

Only a good save from the impressive Terry on 53 minutes prevented Neil Ross breaking the deadlock for the visitors.

But Selkirk finally found some form approaching the hour with Scott Ritchie, who has just returned from professional football in Sweden, volleying home from 20 yards out.

McCormack almost added a second just a minute later as his angled shot grazed the crossbar.

King scored the second from close range on 63 minutes after Robertson could only parry Jay Doyle’s powerful freekick.

Jamie Pyper headed inches over as Spartans began to struggle to get out of their own half.

And a third arrived on 70 minutes with McCormack running onto Doyle’s flick to slam the ball into the bottom corner.

Only a terrific double save from Robertson prevented McCormack adding to his already impressive pre-season tally.

The goal of the game, though, came at the other end with Liam Tomassi unleashing a thunderbolt of a shot into the far corner from 25 yards out.

Selkirk. D Terry, M Samson, J Moyes (J Pyper 62), J Harley (S Ritchie 46), C McDiarmid, A Fleming, R King, M Collin (J Doyle 50), G McCormack, J Doyle (F Neave 19 (R Scott 62)) & M Christie.

  • Selkirk also beat Leith Athletic Under 20s 4-1 on Saturday at Yarrow Park. Gary McCormack and Jake Moyes both scored two goals.