Gala Fairydean Rovers 2 Heriot-Watt University 2

(Heriot-Watt win 4-3 on penalties)

GALA crashed out of the South Regional Cup on Saturday following a penalty shoot-out with the students of Heriot-Watt University.

And in an ironic twist it was their two best players on the day who were the spot-kick culprits.

Dean McColm, who had marshalled the midfield throughout the 120 minutes of play, tamely directed his penalty within easy reach of keeper Alin Roman, and impressive new full back Scott Main blasted the fifth and decisive attempt against the bar.

Manager Steven Noble was left disappointed by the shock defeat. He told us: “I am really disappointed with the result and not to win the game.

“We dominated for long periods but if you give teams like Heriot-Watt a glimmer of a chance they take it.

“We want to go as far as we can in the cups and give ourselves things to play for.”

The opening 20 minutes certainly belonged to the Lowland League team with Sean Guiney, playing in an unaccustomed full back position, twice shooting inches wide of the target.

Captain Jamie Gibson also worked his way into a position to fire a foot over from the edge of the area.

But, with their first genuine attack of the match on 22 minutes, Ian Little’s side took a shock lead.

A low angled cross from the left was met by Chris Donnelly, who expertly stroked the ball beyond Mark Wilson from eight yards out.

Just six minutes later Donnelly won his team a penalty. The striker clattered into Colin Galbraith as he attempted an overhead kick and referee Evan Cairns believed it was a foul.

Luckily for Gala, Donnelly scuffed his penalty attempt inches past the left-hand post.

Within a few minutes the Fairydean Rovers drew level. Main, who had been busy all afternoon on the left flank, delivered an excellent low cross for Ryan Clapperton to drill the ball beyond Roman and into the far bottom corner.

Gibson was denied by a fine reaction save from Roman just before the break.

And following the interval Gala continued on the front foot with early pressure on the visitors’ goal.

But, on 50 minutes, they found themselves behind yet again.

Liam Walker, far too easily, shimmied past Galbraith to slide the ball beneath Wilson.

It was almost 3-1 on the hour as Adam Woolven’s floated freekick was missed by the hesitant home defence and David Kerr shot over the bar from just ten yards out.

The arrival of Ross Aitchison and Stuart Noble helped swing the game back in Gala’s favour.

And they were rewarded on 72 minutes with an excellent equaliser.

McColm’s sublime freekick was headed home by Ian Chalmers from close range.

Both Clapperton and Aitchison were denied by the visiting keeper as the Fairydean Rovers looked for a late winner.

The additional half hour saw both teams tire with chances few and far between.

But it was the students who almost grabbed a dramatic extra-time winner – Wilson producing a tremendous save to deny Neil Laurenson on 114 minutes.

Heriot-Watt looked the more confident from the penalty spot with the first four of their chosen takers all finding the net.

McColm’s miss was followed by successful kicks from Gibson, Aitchison and Noble.

Wilson’s acrobatic save to deny Anton Dowds did give the home faithful something to cheer.

But the hope was short-lived as Main smashed the fifth penalty against the bar.

Gala FR. M Wilson, S Guiney (R Aitchison 59), S Main, I Chalmers, C Galbraith, T Hope, D McColm, D Bonnar, J Gibson, R Clapperton (C Jardine 80) & R Lamb (S Noble 59).