Gala Fairydean Rovers 5 Threave Rovers 0


IT started with a comfortable win at Preston Athletic back in August, and ended in April in the same manner as Gala Fairydean Rovers rounded off their Lowland League season with a hammering of Threave Rovers.
 

But departing captain Jamie Gibson admitted it has been a disappointing season, with the club set to finish 11th in the 15 team league.
 

Gibson, who emigrates to Perth in Australia this week, said: “It is good performance to end the season but we are frustrated with the season as a whole.
 

“There are four or five games we should have won but were not at the races.
 

“The average age of the side is only 24 and we need to add some experience next season.”
 

With bottom side Threave still clinging onto the hope of avoiding relegation, and Gala having nothing to play for, there was a feeling the Castle Douglas side could shock their hosts and close the gap on struggling Vale of Leithen to six points.
 

But within six minutes it was clear that would not be the case, meaning Vale look almost certain to be safe for another season.
 

Jack Hay had already been denied by Rovers keeper Martin McCauley before he dinked Stuart Noble’s through ball over the goalie for the opening goal.
 

Rovers offered little resistance and Hay made it 2-0 on 20 minutes with a header from a Billy Miller cross. His ninth goal in only eight games, Hay could be a vital player for Gala if they can keep hold of him next season.
 

Miller forced a save from McCauley as Gala appeared to attack whenever they wanted, particularly on the left hand side of the pitch.
 

Connor Doherty had a chance to pull Threave back into the game after half time but pulled his shot into the side-netting.
 

And the game well and truly finished as a contest on 69 minutes when Hay raced clean through and appeared destined to complete his second hat-trick, only to show an unselfish streak by squaring for strike partner Noble to tap in.
 

Noble added possibly his second easiest goal of the season six minutes later when Taylor Hope’s great run and cross saw the former Airdrie man head in from less than six yards.
 

And you know it’s your day when Lee Stephen scores with a thunderbolt shot for the fifth goal with seven minutes left.
 

Gibson, who came off the bench for the final half hour, almost completed a perfect send off, only to fire his shot into the side-netting in the final minutes.
 

But it didn’t detract for a memorable afternoon for the former Berwick Rangers and Selkirk man, who has played all three seasons of Gala Fairydean Rovers’ existence.
 

Gibson added: “Everyone has made me feel welcome here, it's a real family club. It's hard to leave this behind. I have a lot of great memories and hope the club can push on next year. The talent is there."
 

Gala Fairydean Rovers: M. Wilson, L. Stephen, D. McColm, T. Hope, B. Miller, B. Herdman, A. Scott, M. Allan (J. Gibson 58), S. Noble (R. Lamb 78), J. Hay, R. Aitchison.