IT may only have been the second weekend but Gala’s triumph on Saturday will likely rank amongst the highlights of this season for many football fans in Galashiels.

It was a David-Goliath encounter in every sense of the term with Kibly signing clever over the summer. Several ex pros, including former Scotland striker Robbie Winters, have bolstered the runners-up from last season.

And for many pundits, Billy Ogilvie’s team will go on and win the 2015/16 Lowland League.

Gala have struggled in the market place during the close season with manager Steve Noble relying on the best of local amateur talent to step up.

On paper it should have been a mismatch – on the field it was something completely different.

The handful of experienced Fairydean Rovers players, including Stuart Noble, Ross Aitchison, David Bonnar and Lee Stephen, led by example.

And the new captaincy team of Jamie Gibson and Billy Miller waded in with the all-important goals.

Manager Noble was thrilled at the final whistle. He said: “East Kilbride are a top team and we knew they would be a real threat but we knew we could trouble them as well.

“I thought every player on the park was excellent and they deserve a lot of credit.

“It’s a big step up from the amateurs for a few of our players but they have done incredibly well.

“All of our players will take a lot of confidence from this game – they now know that they can compete and beat the very best in this league.” Much of the pre-match hype had focussed on free-scoring 20-year-old Jack Smith – son of Dunfermline and Airdrie legend Andy Smith – who had netted four times in two games since arriving at Kilby from Arbroath.

But it was another former Airdrie player who was catching the eye during the early exchanges.

Stuart Noble rolled back the years to torment the visiting defence and he was twice denied by good reaction saves from Matthew McGinley inside the opening quarter hour.

Smith was well marshalled throughout by debutant Ian Chalmers and his central defensive partner, Colin Galbraith.

But on 20 minutes the former Motherwell player did reach the byline to cut a powerful ball across the face of goal and Stephen was forced to make a vital clearance to prevent Harry Mitchell tapping in at the back post.

Gala continued to press and they were rewarded on 26 minutes with a penalty. Referee Evan Cairns punished Craig Howie for pulling Noble’s shirt during a corner.

It was on the soft side but captain Jamie Gibson wasn’t complaining as he smashed the ball beyond McGinley.

Kilby reacted almost immediately with Anthony Brady threading a pass into the path of Sean Winter just three minutes later and the former Stranraer midfielder calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner.

Smith almost edged the visitors in front moments later as his low shot whistled past the post.

But Dean McColm went just as close at the other end with a curling effort from 25 yards.

It had been a thrilling first half and it was to get even better after the break.

Taylor Hope, after being picked out by Gibson, was denied by a last-gasp tackle from Kristopher Gebbie three minutes after the interval.

And eight minutes later Gibson was again instrumental in setting up Noble but the striker fired well wide with the goal at his mercy.

It looked as though all of Gala’s good work had been undone on 66 minutes as Robbie Winters, who had just come off the bench, brilliantly set up Smith to score.

Kilby, for the first time in the match, looked to be getting on top.

But up stepped Billy Miller on 75 minutes.

The vice-captain, who has just returned from injury, drifted in from his left back position to collect the ball in midfield and, some 25 yards from goal, unleashed an unstoppable shot high into the net.

And just two minutes later Noble intercepted a loose pass back and, as he drew keeper McGinley, squared for Gibson to drive the ball high into the net from the edge of the area.

Kilby attempted to salvage something from the game but Gala’s makeshift back four stood firm and keeper Mark Wilson never looked troubled.

In the final minute Noble burst clear from his own half to slot home a fourth for the Fairydean Rovers – but the wild celebrations were cut short after assistant referee Lewis Hogarth bizarrely flagged him for offside.

The party resumed some 90 second later with the sound of the final whistle.

East Kilbride manager Billy Ogilvie told us: “You have to give Gala the credit today.

“The surface wasn’t great – I don’t think they water the park – and it didn’t allow us to play our quick passing game, but it was the same for both teams and I don’t want to take anything away from Gala.

“I’m disappointed but I want to congratulate Steven and his players.” Gala Fairydean Rovers: M Wilson, L Stephen, B Miller, C Galbraith, I Chalmers, D Bonnar, D McColm, C Jardine (T Hope 40), S Noble, J Gibson & R Aitchison.