Gala Fairydean Rovers 6-0 Vale of Leithen

By Callum Hodgson
at Netherdale

FORMER Vale man Tommy Patterson came back to haunt his old team on Saturday.

The midfielder wasn’t even meant to be starting the game.

But after Dale Baxter got injured in the warm up, Gala boss Dean Shanks was forced into making a late change.

And it was one that paid off, as he scored four goals in a 6-0 demolition of his old club.

“It’s always nice to score four against any team,” he said at full time.

“I have a lot of respect for the Vale but it was great to get that win, which will hopefully help us kick on and push us up the league table.”

The Innerleithen side had the better chances in the opening half hour with Craig McBride heading past the post and Liam Ireland causing problems going forward.

But they were given a warning by Patterson when his shot across goal struck the inside of the post.
Just four minutes later the home side went in front when Hibernian loanee Ruari Paton headed in a Darren Smith cross.

And just before the break, Patterson got his first of the game when he skipped through the Vale defence.

The visitors’ gaffer Chris Anderson got his boots on for the second half and brought on Marc Berry in an attempt to claw a couple of goals back.

But Patterson was on hand to blast the ball in from 14 yards just six minutes after the restart.
And he netted his hat trick soon after, when he bombed down the wing to slot home a cross at the back post.

The Vale couldn’t find any answers and manager Anderson was given his marching orders by referee Michael Addy, just 25 minutes after coming on, for a second bookable offence.

Gala continued to attack, but Kieran Beveridge made a fantastic save to deny Sean McKirdy.
However, three minutes later they did make it five when Patterson evaded an offside trap and drilled the ball hard and low into the goal.

And there was an added bonus for the Fairydean Rovers.

Phil Addison returned to the field for the first time after being sidelined for six months due to injury. 
And he got his name on the scoresheet in stoppage time.

Smith picked him out and the former Selkirk man charged forward and looped the ball over the head of the onrushing keeper.

Gala boss Dean Shanks said: “Tommy deserves a special mention for his four goals. It is a unique achievement.”

Gala: P Martin, R Stevenson, S Main, R Donaldson, R Miller, D Smith, S Cunningham, S McKirdy, C O’Reilly, R Paton (P Addison 85), T Patterson (J Temple 83).

Vale: K Beveridge, A Imlah (M Berry HT), R Brady, J Elliot, C McBride, G Rossi, S Stewart, A Hunter, B Rixon (C Anderson HT), K Allan, L Ireland.