TWO late goals were enough to secure a comfortable win for East Super League side Fauldhouse United in Gala Fairydean Rover’s penultimate pre-season fixture.

The game was hastily arranged at 24 hours notice after both teams had been subject to cancellations by their scheduled opponents.

Dalkeith Thistle informed the Netherdale side that due to a number of injuries they would be unable to fulfil the scheduled game between the sides whilst Fauldhouse’s opponents, Glasgow Perthshire, also called off their fixture.

The home side made a number of changes following the draw against Hawick Royal Albert in mid-week in order to give as many players as possible a chance to get game time.

The opening 45 minutes did not offer much in terms of goal mouth incidents although both teams managed to play some nice football.

The visitors came closest to opening the scoring when Brian Ross crashed a header off of the bar just before half-time following a cross from defender Alan Lawson.

Visiting manager Davey Cowan made a number of changes at the start of the second half and these would prove to be the difference between the sides. The new front pairing of Jordan Love and Andy McQuillan caused problems in the home defence and keeper Mark Wilson had to be at his best on a number of occasions to prevent the visitors from scoring.

Just after the hour mark the home-side should have taken the lead when substitute Jamie Gibson bore down on goal but sub-keeper Callum Peace made an important interception.

The Fairydean Rovers were made to immediately pay for not taking the chance when after another good Wilson save Love pounced on the rebound to volley home his first of the afternoon.

The same player hit the corner of the post and bar five minutes later as the visitors attempted to stretch their lead.

Some good work between David Bonnar and Ross Aitchison played in Jamie Gibson for a chance to equalise on 80 minutes but he pulled his shot just wide of the far post.

Fauldhouse responded by grabbing the second goal following a speculative effort from Rees Smith that came back off the post for Love to notch his second of the afternoon.

The Junior side added a third in injury time when McQuillan struck from 10 yards following a cross from Brian Ross.

Gala Coach Joe Brown was happy that the squad is approaching peak fitness ahead of the league opener at Prestonpans next weekend but bemoaned a sloppy final 10 minutes that undid the hard work that proceeded it.

He said: “I felt that for 80 minutes we competed well and I was happy with our effort and attitude.

The final 10 minutes however was disappointing although to be fair we made a lot of changes in order to give as many boys a run-out as possible ahead of next week’s league game.” Steven Noble’s side head to Pennypitt Park to take on Preston Athletic on Saturday in the opening weekend of fixtures in the Lowland League.

Gala Fairydean Rovers: M Wilson, B Miller, D Thompson, C Galbraith, I Chalmers (D Foley 78 mins), D Bonnar, R Aitchison, T Hope, (J Gibson 58 mins) D McColm, R Clapperton (S Noble 62), & R Lamb (C Jardine 80). Substitutes; (unused) S Guiney & D Burdett.

Fauldhouse United: A Murphy, J Deans, A Lawson, S Watson, G Fallon, M Browne, R Stewart, R Lennie, B Ross, R Donnelly, B Nicholson, Substitutes; J Love, A McQuillan, R Smith, R Coleman & C Peace.