GALA FAIRYDEAN ROVERS have been handed a home tie in the first round of the Scottish Cup.

Neil Hastings’ side will face League Two outfit Annan Athletic on Boxing Day.

Gala comfortably defeated Wigtown & Bladnoch 6-0 at Netherdale yesterday in the second preliminary round.

Jacob Campbell (2), Danny Galbraith, Phil Addison, Ben Herdman and Aiden Walsh all got on the scoresheet for the Fairydean Rovers.

Speaking after yesterday’s victory, gaffer Hastings said: “We are delighted to get through.

“But we’ll be back to work on Monday, preparing for an extremely difficult game at a hard venue on Wednesday night [East Stirlingshire].

“I spoke very highly of East Stirlingshire last year, but I think they’ve strengthened again.

“Last year, before the season got stopped they were the best team that we played and faced down here.

“We’re under no illusions over how difficult Wednesday night will be, but we try and be competitive going into every game.

“We have lost our last two in the league so we need to try and get back to winning ways.

“Our plan will be to go there and try to win the game, but we know how difficult that will be.”