Home defeat for Gala Fairydean Rovers to Civil Service Strollers

The first chance of the game fell to former Hibernian midfielder Callum Yeats who tried to find the far corner of the net from inside the area.

Gala then gave away a free-kick on the edge of the area and Euan Valentine’s strike found the bottom corner of the net to give his side the lead.

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Skipper Danny Galbraith was shown a yellow card in the 25th minute for a late challenge.

Strollers almost doubled their lead moments later but Innes Lawson shot just wide of the near post.

Nicky Reid was the next name in the referee’s book for a cynical foul on Robbie Cole who looked to have broken clear.

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Just before the break Valentine went close with header at the back-post.

The home side thought they had  equalised shortly after the restart with a superb effort from Galbraith which struck the crossbar and appeared to have crossed the line but despite the protests from the fans play no goal was given.

photos Thomas Brown (Image: Thomas Brown)

That decision was to prove costly four minutes later when Liam McQuaid doubled Strollers’ advantage.

Gala continued to fight and created a few chances before pulling one back with a well placed header by Jamie Semple.

The woodwork then denied Gala an equaliser.

Photo Thomas Brown (Image: Thomas Brown)

There was drama in the last 15-minutes with Majid Suleyman booked, Michael Mbewe shown a red card for either an off the ball incident or dissent and no fewer than three claims for a home penalty which were all waved away.

The Scottish Borders Knackery man of the match was Danny Galbraith.

The full match report with reactions will be in this weeks Border Telegraph.