Gala Fairydean Rovers 1-3 Bo'ness United

Gala Fairydean Rovers 1-3 Bo'ness United

Lowland League

Wednesday 4th May 2022

Gala Fairydean (or Gala Fairydean Rovers as they're nowadays known) are one of those clubs who are renowned in Scottish football's non-league circles for two reasons.

On the pitch, they're well-known for being a regular name in the Scottish Cup over the years as well as one of the founder members of the Lowland League.

To many, however, they're probably better known due to their world-famous Main Stand at Netherdale; an imposing Grade A listed concrete structure built in the 1960s which is a throwback to a bygone era. As you'll be able to see from the photos, the stand is currently out of bounds because it's undergoing essential safety works that aren't expected to be completed until September at the earliest.

Hidden away in the quaint and quiet backstreets of Galashiels on the Scottish Borders, it's a town far removed from the 'hustle and bustle' of city life; the kind of place where you can hear the soothing sound of birds tweeting away in the distance as opposed to revving car engines, and where locals stop to have a chat if they pass you in the street. 

It's nowadays more accessible than ever thanks to the Borders Railway Line which re-opened seven years ago after being closed for decades and has hourly services to and from Edinburgh Waverley.

Despite being a decent-sized club for this level, Gala haven't pulled up many (if any?) trees since the Lowland League's inception and both themselves and Bo'ness United went into this game in mid-table with little else to play for other than pride.

Bo'ness (who have eyes on achieving a place in the SPFL in the long-term) were the better team on the night and despite taking the lead through Ryan Stevenson, they were pegged back when the hosts broke into a one-on-one and finished well six minutes prior to the interval.

The visitors' quality shone through after the re-start though and by the final whistle they could have scored several more goals than what they actually did.

Although Gregor Nicol only squandered a gilt-edged chance when he found himself clean through but couldn't hit the target just after the re-start, within moments Jamie McCormack capitalised on a goalkeeper error to spare his team-mate's blushes for the bad miss and restore Bo'ness' lead.

A dominant 10-minute spell followed in which the pacey Lennon Walker caused a whole heap of problems. The youngster curled an effort narrowly wide and copped for some rough treatment at times, but was a bystander when his team struck the upright on a rebond after the home 'keeper pulled off a terrific save at point-blank range initially.

With sunset falling and the floodlights begining to illuminate the sky, Gala couldn't be completely written off at this point and when Bo'ness were caught piddling around with the ball at the back, they needed Andy Murphy to pull off a good save at his near-post to prevent an equaliser.

However, Bo'ness always looked sharper, brighter and the more likely to bag the next goal and that's precisely what they did when Nicol atoned for his earlier miss by getting on the end of a cross by Stevenson and planting a header on target which squirmed past the 'keeper.

Overall, it was a positive trip and a nice, pleasant night. Kudos to Gala for their excellent food menu (see the photos) and I can testify that the Macaroni Pie was absolutely superb.

Depending on what happens in the next few weeks with regards to 'B' teams entering the Lowland League next season, the Lowland League might become something of a stomping ground for myself next season... although where the Lowland League are concerned I've long since learnt to expect nothing and not be surprised by anything.

Even the bizarre news earlier today that 'Broomhill' will be naming themselves after a certain podcast and moving several miles down the road to Cumbernauld next season.