Gala Fairydean Rovers 3

Bonnyrigg Rose 1

By Callum Hodgson

at Netherdale

DEAN Shanks secured his first win as Gala manager on Saturday.

Billy Miller opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, but the Netherdale side were pegged back by a Keiran McGachie strike on the stroke of half time.

However the Fairydean Rovers gained their first victory in pre-season thanks to a strong second half performance which saw Tommy Patterson grab a goal and Rhys Craigie convert a late penalty.

After the final whistle, Gaffer Shanks told us: “Pre-season is all about getting fitness levels up and trying to implement the way we are going to play throughout the season.

“I am pleased with the way we played today but we still have a long way to go. Pre-season is immaterial – we are just concentrating on preparing for the Cumbernauld game in two weeks time.

“We have purposely given the boys really tough schedule so they are ready. There has been a lot of work done by everybody behind the scenes to put together what is basically a new squad.”

Bonnyrigg came the closest to opening the scoring on the half hour mark, but Conan McDiarmid cleared Steven Thomson’s effort off the line.

However 14 minutes later it was the Fairydean Rovers who took the lead.

Following a short corner, Daryl Johnson swung a ball across the box and Miller was on hand to tuck home.

But the lead lasted just three minutes.

On the break, Dean Brett lobbed a wonderful pass to McGachie; he charged forward and side-footed the ball over Gregor Amos.

Gala’s starting lineup featured eight new signings and two of them linked up for their second goal.

Former Selkirk man Dale Baxter picked out ex Vale midfielder Patterson on the left. He burst in and slotted past Michael Andrews.

The Midlothian side fought for an equaliser. Louis Swanson came close with a free kick and saw a header fly over the bar.

But on 90 minutes Gala secured the victory from the penalty spot.

Craigie sprinted into the box and was clipped by defender Neil Martynuik, leaving referee Jonathon Gall with no option but to point to the spot. The 21-year-old stepped up to the plate and fired past the Rose stopper.

Gala Fairydean Rovers complete their home pre-season schedule this Saturday when they take on English Northern League Division 2 side Heaton Stannington at Netherdale. Kick-off 3pm.

Fairydean Rovers Manager Dean Shanks will be using the match to get another 90 minutes of preparation for the new season which starts the following Saturday when Cumbernauld Colts visit Netherdale in the Lowland League.

Prices are £5 adult, £3 concession with Under 16s free. As this is a friendly fixture Premier Club cards are not applicable.

Gala Fairydean Rovers: G Amos, D Johnson (L Stephen 67), S Main, C McDiarmid (K Watson 52), R Donaldson, S Conaghan (F Neave 83), T Patterson (A Crawford 86), B Miller, S McKirdy (K Mitchell 42), D Baxter, R Craigie. Subs not used: C Riddell, L Scarpa.