GALA Fairydean’s impressive winning run continued with a well-deserved victory over Cumbernauld Colts at Netherdale yesterday.(Saturday January 28 2023)
Manager Martin Scott retained the same starting XI that defeated Celtic and Kelty Hearts in the last two weeks with Ben Herdman listed amongst the substitutes for the first time since the opening game of last season when he picked up a long term injury.
Gala started on the front foot playing some excellent football but despite dominating the first half Scott’s men went in at the break on level terms.
But shortly after the restart Gareth Rodger headed home a superb cross from Gospel Ocholi.
The Colts fought back and ended the game on the front foot but the Gala defence held firm to secure the victory.
After the game Scott said: “ I thought in the first-half we played some exceptional football. It was really pleasing on the eye and we were really unfortunate not to go in ahead at half time.
“But we gave the guys a challenge in the second-half to keep turning the screw and up that tempo from the first half and keep carrying it on into the second-half and I felt we did that.
“Probably on another day it could have been a more comfortable win.
“But what was really pleasing is how resilient we were at the end when Cumbernauld Colts were really going for it, throwing bodies forward and it became a real battle.
“I thought we showed our class at times, put our foot on the ball and made that extra pass to create openings.
“It was really pleasing for me and everybody played their part.
“And also we got Ben Herdman back into the matchday squad which was really pleasing.
“So we are building some good momentum but as soon as the game’s finished you are looking to improve and look toward the next game.
“I think there is a real togetherness within the group. The boys worked exceptionally hard throughout the week.
“And they are really buying into the concept of being aggressive, playing on the front foot and trying to dominate the ball.
“And to a man the standard thing is everybody is playing to a high level, and everybody is doing their job effectively.
“They should be getting the reward for it because they are working really hard throughout the week when nobody can see them and they are getting their rewards on a matchday when we have got some fans in. And it’s paying off for them.”
The full match report will be in this week’s edition of the Border Telegraph.
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