MATCH PREVIEW - GALA FAIRYDEAN ROVERS (A)

For the first of three successive away games in the Park’s Motor Group we head south to face Gala Fairydean Rovers at Netherdale with a 3pm kick off.

This will be our third game with Gala this season. Back in August we ran out 4-1 winners, Danny Galbraith opened the scoring but goals from Jamie Docherty (2), Rhys Walker and an own goal from Ciaran Greene sealed the three points for us.

Last month the sides once again met in the Lowland League Cup with the game ending in a 2-2 draw. Gala raced into a 2-0 half time lead through Jamie Semple and Muhammad Salisu Adam however we hit back through Jake Sutherland and Greig Spence to take the tie to penalties with Gala winning 5-3.

Last Saturday’s loss to Broxburn Athletic saw us drop to 12th in the table while on Tuesday night Gala fell to the foot of the table following Broomhill’s draw with Hearts B.

Greg MacPherson misses out serving a suspension after being sent off while Jack Denham returns after his two game ban.


THE OPPOSITION

Gala have won five of their 29 league games this season against Bo’ness United (3-1), University of Stirling (5-0), Cumbernauld Colts (6-0), Berwick Rangers (2-1) and Hearts B (4-0). There have been seven draws against Celtic B (2-2), East Kilbride (4-4), Albion Rovers (3-3), Cumbernauld Colts (4-4), Linlithgow Rose (1-1), Civil Service Strollers (2-2) and Bo’ness United (2-2).

They have lost 17 games to Caledonian Braves (0-6 & 1-2), Hearts B (1-5), Cowden (1-4), Broxburn Athletic (0-3), Tranent (0-7 & 1-2), Civil Service Strollers (2-4), East Stirlingshire (0-2 & 1-2), Linlithgow Rose (2-3), Broomhill (2-3), Celtic B (0-2), Gretna 2008 (0-2), Berwick Rangers (1-2), Albion Rovers (3-4) and East Kilbride (1-7).

In the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup they beat Strathsprey Thistle 8-2 at Netherdale before bowing out 5-2 to Pollok at Newlandsfield.

In the South Challenge Cup they had a home 4-2 win over Camelon Juniors before bowing out 1-0 to Irvine Meadow, also at Netherdale.

After their Lowland League Cup win at Central Park they bowed out 4-0 to Tranent at Foresters Park.


PREVIOUS PARK'S MOTOR GROUP LOWLAND LEAGUE MEETINGS

The first league meeting of the sides came in August 2022 when Gala won 2-1 thanks to goals from Allan Smith and Gregor Jordan either side of Ewan Thomson’s equaliser. The return game that season saw a 1-1 draw at Netherdale with Gregor Nichol with a penalty opening the scoring for Gala and Mikey Cunningham getting our equaliser.

In last season’s game at Central Park Nicky Reid gave Gala a half time lead before an own goal from Liam Watt and Adam MacDonald put us in front before Danny Galbraith grabbed a last-minute equaliser. On our visit to Netherdale Daryl Healy hit a first half brace with Liam Watt pulling a goal back in the second half.

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE – Andy Gamble

ASSISTANT REFEREES – Mark Harris & George McDonald


ADMISSION

Adults - £10 | Concessions - £5 | Under 16s - £1




Previewer: Andrew Mullen.