Bumper crowd expected for promotion clash
Ally McGilvray • Published 15 Apr 2010 09:05
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GALA United are preparing for the biggest game in the club's history when they tackle Earlston Rhymers in a match which could make or break the season for either side this week.
A bumper crowd is expected to turn out for the Border Amateur League Division C promotion tussle on the back pitches at Netherdale tonight (Thursday) at 6.15pm.
The home side need to win their final two games and hope Linton Hotspur, who beat the visitors in Earlston on Tuesday night, drop three points to go up.
It would be a major achievement for the club, which only kicked off three years ago, following the demise of the local pub league.
However, after losing their first three games back following the winter shutdown, Earlston, who won three games in a row last week, are still favourites to go up, along with Chirnside Colts who were crowned champions this week.
Rhymers match secretary Lee Manderson said: "It (Gala United) will be a massive game for us but we need to keep on winning.
"We've been unlucky to miss out on promotion for the last two seasons now (since dropping down from Division B) but we just have to take one game at a time."
He added: "We lost our first three games back at the start of March because we were a bit rusty following three months without a game but now we're back up to speed."
United have been boosted by the signing of former Fairydean forward Des Sutherland, who has netted ten goals in three games since making his debut for the amateur side.
He will line up against former team mates Gary and Craig Lothian, who have formed a formidable defensive midfield partnership since returning to their hometown team.
However, they are without top goalscorer Callum Gass after he signed for East of Scotland League Selkirk last week.
United manager Michael Wright said: "A big night is in prospect at Netherdale on Thursday and we hope the town will turnout to support us."
Meanwhile, the Lothian brothers combined to give Earlston a 2-1 victory over Lauder on Thursday last week - a result which effectively ends Lauder's promotion hopes.
Alex Winter netted a late consolation for the home side who were reduced to ten men after Stephen Swanston, who appeared to square up to Robert Gourdie, was sent off.
And a member of Lauder's management team was also sent packing from the town's public park as tensions threatened to boil over.
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