Gala Fairydean Rovers 4

Civil Service Strollers 0

David Knox

at Netherdale

GALA’S long-term hopes of becoming serious top six contenders in the Lowland League will have been encouraged by Saturday’s second-half demolition of Civil.

While the Strollers, who are vying for a top five finish themselves under Gary Jardine, may have been a couple of players light for the clash they still arrived at Netherdale as hot favourites.

Fairydean Rovers boss Neil Hastings admitted the team he’s hoping to build is starting to take shape.

He said: “I am delighted with the way we took the game to Civil and also controlled the play for long periods.

“You just have to look where they are in the league to realise what a good team they are, yet we were on top for most of the game today.

“We had a two or three missing today and when we get everyone back and we’ll have a good squad to build on.”

A training ground move in the ninth minute allowed Andy Mair to collect a corner in space and rifle a powerful shot against the post from 20 yards.

But that was as close as the city side would come to beating Fraser Morton.

Some terrific one-touch football from the home side just five minutes later sent Danny Galbraith into space but his angled effort was blocked in front of goal.

And 10 minutes later Zander Murray, who’s been a sensation since arriving in the Borders, missed a glorious chance from eight yards out as Marc Berry burst into the area to square a pass.

While Gala continued to enjoy plenty possession they struggled to break down the well-organised visiting defence.

But that was all to change in the second half.

The feet of Josh Davidson prevented Murray breaking the deadlock in the 47th minute.

But there was little the keeper could do six minutes later as Gareth Rodger connected perfectly with Scott Taylor Mackenzie’s corner to head Gala in front.

Davidson did make a terrific reflex save to push a close-range header over the bar just before the hour.

But he was beaten again as Taylor Mackenzie’s curled the resultant corner inside the near post.

Civil’s response was restricted to a tame Faye shot which Morton held comfortably.

And with Ross Aitchison and Rodger in fine form at the heart of Gala’s defence, the home keeper had one of his less active matches.

Gala went 3-0 up in the 66th minute as some neat passing sent Berry charging down the right flank.

Although his cross was steered goalwards by Murray it looked as though Alex Chingwalu got the final touch before the ball crossed the line.

There was no contesting who scored the fourth from another Berry cross just four minutes later as Jacob Campbell netted at the back post.

While the victory takes Gala up to 11th, the style of the win will be even more pleasing for the Fairydean Rovers faithful.

Gala Fairydean Rovers. F Morton, L Kinchant (E Mangan 85), A Chingwalu, R Aitchison, G Rodger, S Taylor Mackenzie, M Berry (U Korona 74), N Kelly, A Murray (R Dent 68), D Galbraith & J Campbell.