Gala Fairydean Rovers 0  Linlithgow Rose 2

 

BATTLING Gala crashed out of the Scottish Cup in front of a bumper crowd of over 300 at Netherdale.

East Super League favourites Linlithgow Rose struck inside the fourth minute after Colin Strickland expertly drilled Ruari Maclennan's lay-off into the far corner of the net.

Only a couple of wonder saves from Mark Wilson prevented Rose extending their advantage.

But Gala did respond with a Ross Aitchison header being pushed onto the bar by Alasdair Adams.

And Blair Batchelor headed against his own post from another Fairydean Rovers corner.

Rose almost went two up just before the break but Batchelor's lob from 20 yards hit the cross bar.

It was end to end in the second half with Stuart Noble and Lee Stephen both forcing good saves from Adams.

But with five minutes remaining Thomas Coyne sneaked in at the back post to steer a low driven freekick into the net.

Gala gaffer Steven Noble said: "I was pleased with how we came out fighting in the second half and I thought we could get back into the game.

"Linlithgow are a top team and if you give them a chance they take it."

 

Gala FR. M Wilson, L Stephen, B Millar, C Galbraith, B Herdman (R Aitchison 25), D Bonnar, D McColm, T Hope (R Lamb 82), S Noble, J Gibson & C Jardine (R Clapperton 77).