Gala Fairydean Rovers 3 Spartans 2

By Callum Hodgson
at Netherdale

A TENACIOUS Gala side out-battled Spartans in a five-goal thriller, to record their first win over the Edinburgh side.

The game had multiple chances, a missed penalty and a familiar face netting a stunning equaliser.

Fairydean Rovers took the lead within just two minutes courtesy of Sean Paliczka and doubled their advantage 25 minutes later through a Darren Smith free kick.

But after the break, Douglas Samuel’s team quickly turned things around. On 50 minutes Scott Maxwell pulled one back and on 61 minutes former Gala striker Jack Hay volleyed home in spectacular fashion.

But it was to be Gala’s day. Four minutes later Stuart Noble popped up to head the home side to victory.

Delighted boss Steven Noble told us: “It’s the first time since we have been Gala Fairydean Rovers that we have beaten Spartans.

“We have had a lot of good performances against them, but we have just not been able to do it, so it’s great to get that monkey off our backs.

“Every player really gave their all. They have done the club proud and we are really delighted with the win. It’s important that we kick on from this now and start to climb the table.

“Jack (Hay) scored a great goal for the equaliser, but we kept him relatively quiet. It’s a great day for the club, because it’s a win against a top team. 
“And I think we played with a depleted team, but the boys who came in stepped up,” he added.

“I also have to give a special mention to the Gala Hotspur guys who loaned us a couple of players for the game. We really appreciate that. Sean Pringle came in and played really well considering he’s never played or trained and it’s a big step up from the Border Ams.”

It was all action in the first 10 minutes. Gala opened the scoring when Smith pinged a free kick into the box and after a malaise, Paliczka was the quickest to react and he prodded home.

But eight minutes later, Spartans were awarded a penalty. Kieran Wright collided with Hay and the referee pointed to the spot, angering Gala support.
David Greenhill stepped up, but fired wide past the left post.

The Braw lads kept on fighting and doubled their lead before the half-hour mark. Smith took another free kick, from virtually the same position; he hit it into the box, nobody touched it and it somehow found its way past Blair Carswell.

Samuel brought Broque Watson on at half time to bring some added pace on the left wing.

And Spartans did score almost straight after the whistle. Michael Herd got the better of Taylor Hope, the ball fell to Maxwell and he smashed it in.

And thirteen minutes later, Watson linked up with Maxwell, but his shot hit the upright.

But as if a script had been written, on 61 minutes Andrew Mair floated a cross in from the left and there was Hay at the far post to volley home to make it 2-2.

But any script was soon ripped up. Paliczka hit a ball in from the left, Ross Aitchison headed on to Noble and he nodded in to clinch all three points for Fairydean Rovers.

Gala Fairydean Rovers: K Wright, L Stephen, B Miller, T Hope, G Windram, R Aitchison, D Smith, S Paliczka, S Noble, D Sutherland (S Pringle 41) (A Nicol 87), D Simpson. Not used: A Common, M Moody, M Fenton

Spartans: B Carswell, M Herd, S Maxwell, D Ward (B Watson), E Malone, D Greenhill, C Stevenson, A Mair, C Townsley, J Dishington, J Hay (J Beesley 71) Not used: I Salutregi Gabiola, C Comrie, B Tolmie, C Rae