GALA got their Lowland League season off to a flyer in Prestonpans on Saturday.

A stunning long-distance strike from David Bonnar after only three minutes was the fastest goal of the new league season and set Steven Noble’s men on their way to a well-deserved victory.

Colin Jack’s Preston Athletic fielded a number of new signings, including former Hibs starlet Andrew Gilchrist and James Martin who played in the SPL with Hamilton Accies, but it was the Netherdale men who set the early pace.

Following Bonnar’s opener the Netherdale side tried to increase their lead with the forward partnership of Callum Jardine and Jamie Gibson causing problems for the home defence.

On 10 minutes Jardine latched onto a superb through ball from left back Darran Thompson and fired a shot narrowly past the far post.

Just minutes later the same player had an even better chance after good work from Bonnar but Chris Flockhart in the home goal saved well at his near post.

In 23 minutes Gibson smashed an effort off the underside of the bar after a good build up as Gala turned the screw on their hosts.

The game was open and exciting and Preston continued to try and pass the ball through midfield leading them to almost grab an equaliser on 33 minutes when Jamie Todd fired a shot that was saved by Wilson only for the rebound to fall to Jack McIntyre who blazed over from 12 yards.

Preston made two changes at half-time in a bid to get back into the game but on 51 minutes Gala scored a vital second goal.

A superb passing move was finished by a header from Ross Aitchison which looped over Flockhart and into the net. Gala were now flying and added to their total from a corner just before the hour mark when new signing Colin Galbraith smashed a Sean Guiney cutback into the far corner of the net. Whilst the hosts continued to press looking for a consolation goal the visitors were determined to keep a clean sheet and saw out the remainder of the game comfortably.

Manager Steven Noble was delighted by his side’s performance and praised their hard work and effort.

He said: “I am pleased for the team because they worked so hard throughout a difficult game.

“Preston Athletic have a number of players from the pro-youth and senior ranks and played some nice football at times but we defended well, covered when we had to and caused them lots of problem with the running of our front two.

“We got off to a great start with Davie Bonnar’s strike and we know he will be a key player for the club this season. At half time our only disappointment was that we were not two or three up but we told them to keep working hard, stay disciplined and continue to play as we had for 45 minutes. We were rewarded with a second goal early in the half and then killed the game with a third soon after.

“I was also pleased with our fitness levels. We tried hard to give as many players as possible game time during our pre-season fixtures. Whilst that can have an effect on results in these friendlies the important thing is to have guys ready for the league season and that looks to have paid off. ” Gala now face a couple of tough home fixtures against two of the top sides in the league, University of Stirling and East Kilbride, but if they continue to play as they did in East Lothian on Saturday then they can approach each game with confidence.

Gala Fairydean Rovers: M Wilson, L Stephen, D Thomson, C Galbraith, S Guiney, D Bonnar, D McColm (T Hope 85 min), D Burdett (B Miller 78 min), J Gibson, C Jardine (R Lamb 81), R Aithchison. Unused Subs: R Grant, I Chalmers, S Noble.

Preston Athletic: C Flockhart, R McSherry, David Porcher, N Coull, C Moffat, K Morrison, L Todd, J Beaton, J McIntyre, A Gilchrist, J Martin. Subs: T Aitchison, R Forsyth, Trialist, J Todd, G Nicholson, A Jones, R Ballie.