Young makes dream debut as late header seals three points for Gala
University of Stirling.................................0 Gala Fairydean Rovers.............................1
A LATE goal from debutant Sam Young gave Gala a dramatic and much-needed win on the weekend.
The 18-year-old, who penned a new deal at Dunfermline Athletic last week, joined up with the Borderers on loan ahead of the Lowland League match at Forthbank.
And the central defender marked his first appearance in red and black in style, scoring with a powerful back-post header from a corner in the 87th minute to seal the three points.
Gala came into the game needing a good defensive display after conceding 22 goals in their last five outings – the latest a 5-0 Lowland League Cup defeat against East Kilbride in midweek.
And they started well, limiting University of Stirling to a few half chances in a tight first 45 minutes.
The Netherdale outfit continued to show heart and defended in numbers in the second period.
The ball fell to the feet of the hosts’ Ciaran McAninch after a quick free kick but he was challenged brilliantly to prevent a breakthrough.
Jay Cantley in the Gala sticks then proved his worth with 10 minutes to go, producing a great double save, first to keep out Cameron McKinley before blocking James Stokes’ goalbound effort on the rebound.
With the game looking destined to end in stalemate, there was a sting in the tail.
A corner with just seconds to go gave Young the opportunity to bundle his way to the back stick and power a header past a helpless Yan Gromov Godik.
Saturday produced another special moment for the Borderers, with Reegan Stisi stepping up from the amateurs to make his first-team debut on the 80-minute mark.
The victory sees Martin Scott’s men hit
31 points from 31 games, drawing level with East Stirlingshire. They are only one point behind Broomhill and two behind Caledonian Braves.
The Borderers sit third from bottom in the Lowland League, ahead of Gretna and Edinburgh University, on eight and six points respectively.
They now have a break before facing Gretna on April 6.