Gala day blues in the Borders for Spartans

Posted on Sunday, November 6th, 2016

Fireworks night proved to be a damp squib for Spartans as they fell to their first Lowland League defeat to Gala Fairydean Rovers at Netherdale.

The hosts got off to the perfect start inside two minutes when Smith’s free-kick found Palizcka who hooked the ball past Carswell.

Spartans had a 10th minute opportunity to level proceedings when Hay was upended inside the box by the Rovers keeper only for Greenhill’s spot kick to flash wide of the goals.

Smith doubled the Fairydean lead shortly before the half hour mark when his free-kick evaded the cluster of bodies in the box before nestling in the net for a two goal half time lead.

Six minutes after the break, Spartans halved the deficit. Townsley’s through ball finding Maxwell who turned well and scored.  The same player almost equalised when he hit the post following Watson’s cut-back.

Spartans pressured paid off moments later after Mair’s cross was acrobatically sent home by the scissor-kicking Hay.

Almost immediately, Gala responded to edge back in front again with Noble headed what proved to be the winning goal.

Then, with the game entering it’s final stages, Beesley sent an edge of the box free-kick goal bound, only to see his effort tipped over the bar.

FT: Gala Fairydean Rovers 3-2 Spartans