23rd December 2017 The Spartans v Gala Fairydean Rovers 2-0
Despite last week's euphoria I could not face going to Perth to watch Hearts against St Johnstone as I had a feeling it would be an anti-climax. Instead I went to see Spartans against Gala Fairydean Rovers in the Lowland League. Left home about 13.35 and walked to Ainslie Park arriving around 14.20. As it was blowing a gale I headed for the cafe/bar for a coffee and a sausage roll.
The Gala side was formed in 2013 following a merger between the semi-professional Gala Fairydean and amateur side Gala Rovers. They play at Netherdale which is adjacent to the Gala Rugby Clubs ground of the same name. I can vaguely remember in the 1970's travelling down to Gala on a Sunday by bus to watch Hearts play in a testimonial at the footballing Netherdale against the Fairydean side. Must be getting old as I cannot remember the score although I am positive Hearts won. Rovers have a couple of Hibs under-20s on loan including Jamie Gullan. He was brought up in Buckstone and his parents lived few doors down from us when we stayed there. While Gullan was listed in the programme unfortunately he was not included in the match day squad.
The game started with Spartans playing into the wind but in the first minute they had a great chance. After a one-two on the edge of the box Ross Guthrie was left alone on the left hand side of the box with only the keeper to beat. Lewis Muir in the Gala goal got down well to block his shot. Thereafter the half mostly belonged to Gala. Darren Smith had a good thirty yard wind assisted shot which was tipped over well by Blair Carswell in the Spartans goal. Later from a corner there was what Arthur Montford (for those of you old enough to remember him) would call a "stramash' in the Spartans box. Carswell blocked a shot from Grant Rose and also stopped the rebound. As the ball landed in the midst of a group of players, Spartans captain Michael Herd dived in to clear the ball at the expense of an injury. Throughout the first half the wind continued to effect the game with on one occasion Gala needing three attempts to take a free kick as the ball kept blowing away.
Early in the second half Spartans went ahead with a wind assisted goal. Jamie Dishington broke down the right and slung in what I am sure was a cross. However it was caught in the wind and deceived Muir in the Gala goal and ended up in the net. I cannot understand why any higher level club has not looked at signing "Dish" as he looks like a really good midfielder/winger. Maybe Hearts replacement for Jamie Walker if he goes ? The second goal arrived just after the midway point of the half when "Dish" chased a ball to the byeline, caught it and then pulled it back into the centre of the box. Davie Greenhill shot low into the net at the second attempt after his first shot had been blocked.
My moment of glory arrived after this goal. A clearance from a Gala defender was fired into the stand. The ball was caught by someone at the back of the stand who attempted to throw it to Herd who was waiting to take the Spartans throw. He could not reach the pitch and the ball landed at my feet in row three less than five yards from the pitch. I picked it up and threw it towards the pitch but instead of going over/under the fence it hit a fence post and rebounded twenty yards up the field in the spectating area towards the Spartans goal. Mikey Herd was laughing but I thought I should be looking to get a spot in the England test cricket team for the Melbourne test given I could at least hit the wicket.
The game ended and as I walked up to Ferry Road I saw a 27 bus going past. Walked along to Crewe Toll and caught a 24 before walking home from Lothian Road.
The game started with Spartans playing into the wind but in the first minute they had a great chance. After a one-two on the edge of the box Ross Guthrie was left alone on the left hand side of the box with only the keeper to beat. Lewis Muir in the Gala goal got down well to block his shot. Thereafter the half mostly belonged to Gala. Darren Smith had a good thirty yard wind assisted shot which was tipped over well by Blair Carswell in the Spartans goal. Later from a corner there was what Arthur Montford (for those of you old enough to remember him) would call a "stramash' in the Spartans box. Carswell blocked a shot from Grant Rose and also stopped the rebound. As the ball landed in the midst of a group of players, Spartans captain Michael Herd dived in to clear the ball at the expense of an injury. Throughout the first half the wind continued to effect the game with on one occasion Gala needing three attempts to take a free kick as the ball kept blowing away.
Early in the second half Spartans went ahead with a wind assisted goal. Jamie Dishington broke down the right and slung in what I am sure was a cross. However it was caught in the wind and deceived Muir in the Gala goal and ended up in the net. I cannot understand why any higher level club has not looked at signing "Dish" as he looks like a really good midfielder/winger. Maybe Hearts replacement for Jamie Walker if he goes ? The second goal arrived just after the midway point of the half when "Dish" chased a ball to the byeline, caught it and then pulled it back into the centre of the box. Davie Greenhill shot low into the net at the second attempt after his first shot had been blocked.
My moment of glory arrived after this goal. A clearance from a Gala defender was fired into the stand. The ball was caught by someone at the back of the stand who attempted to throw it to Herd who was waiting to take the Spartans throw. He could not reach the pitch and the ball landed at my feet in row three less than five yards from the pitch. I picked it up and threw it towards the pitch but instead of going over/under the fence it hit a fence post and rebounded twenty yards up the field in the spectating area towards the Spartans goal. Mikey Herd was laughing but I thought I should be looking to get a spot in the England test cricket team for the Melbourne test given I could at least hit the wicket.
The game ended and as I walked up to Ferry Road I saw a 27 bus going past. Walked along to Crewe Toll and caught a 24 before walking home from Lothian Road.
Teams
The Spartans: Carswell, Herd, Stevenson, Nixon, Corbett, Greenhill, Dishington, McFarland, Guthrie, Stevens, Maxwell
Subs: Allum, Atkinson, Brown
Gala Fairydean Rovers: Muir, Miller, Main, Aitchison, Ainslie, Heugh, Smith, Rose, Noble, Watson, Craig.
Subs: Scott, Trailist, Guiney
Comments
Post a Comment