Spartans 4

Gala Fairydean Rovers 0

Callum Hodgson

at Ainslie Park

SPARTANS proved too strong for an understrength Gala Fairydean Rovers at Ainslie Park on Saturday.

Missing eight players already through injury and suspension, the last thing the visitors needed was anymore casualties.

But keeper Fraser Morton damaged his hand and midfielder Ryan Mayer limped off with 15 minutes to go to make it another day of woe for Gala.

Having won six of their last seven games, Spartans were hot favourites and they dominated the opening stages.

It came as no surprise when Blair Atkinson opened the scoring in nine minutes and he added a second shortly after the half hour mark when he cut in from the left and drilled a low shot past Morton.

Gala tried to retain possession for as long as they could but failed to find the killer pass to breakthrough the Spartans rearguard.

It was a similar story after the interval although full back Lewis Grant proved a constant threat for Gala down the right flank with his overlapping runs.

However the game was killed as a contest shortly after the hour mark when striker Jack Smith unleashed a 20 yard shot into the far corner of the net to put Spartans three up.

To their credit, Gala refused to throw in the towel and pressed for a consolation goal near the end with Zander Murray forcing a fine save from Spartans keeper Blair Carswell from a tight angle.

The injury to Morton was a disappointment particularly as the referee had blown for a foul but the striker played on and blasted in a shot from close range which staved the keeper's hand.

It resulted in a competitive debut for 17-year-old keeper Kit McRitchie from Lauder.

He showed good hands to take a couple of clean catches from cross balls but he was helpless when sub Nicky Reid was left unmarked and netted from close range in the dying moments of the game.

Gala will be hoping for better fortunes when bottom of the table Vale of Leithen visit the Netherdale 3G Arena this Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Local derbies are always competitive affairs and there should be a decent-sized crowd with the festive season in full swing.

Gala Fairydean Rovers: Morton (McRitchie 85), Grant, Chingwalu, Leddie, Herdman, Kelly, Mayer (Fairburn 75), Kinchant, Murray, Campbell & Berry