Netherdale, Friendly, 11/7/26
Gala Fairydean Rovers Football Club
Founded – 2013
Nickname – None
Honours – East of Scotland (City) Cup – 2021/22
Random Fact – The club were a merger of the historically successful Gala Fairydean FC and Gala Rovers FC.
Book three reccy work today down in the Borders. Visits to 14 clubs remain over the next wee while with some longer from our Aberdeenshire home than others. Galashiels is one of the longer journeys that we will face but four will generate more than the Borders club and the 370 miles travelled to Netherdale and back today. (Threave Rovers is the worst for the record, 480 mile round trip). The way today worked out with the Wee Wee Man being away to a party it allowed the Wee Man and I to head on a lengthy trek. A trek which would include seeing the famed 62 year old Peter Wormersley designed Brutalist stand was always going to make the long drive worth it too. The category A listed structure was not the reason for the visit for us, but a real bonus seeing this jagged beauty. Unfortunately, with some serious traffic(a smash according to Google Maps) on the way down we had little time to explore Galashiels. Which for the record is a lot bigger than expected. With one hour to spare Wee Man suggested finding somewhere for a pudding, something we tend to do on our travels. To the closest place on the map from Netherdale we headed, the Kingsknowes Hotel. What a choice from the little one as the sticky toffee pudding was arguably the best I have had the pleasure of devouring. Absolutely divine, and the cheesecake chaser was the perfect amount of creamy too. To add, the staff were extremely affable too. Head over if you find yourself in Galashiels.
Then to this friendly between clubs from the newly founded Lowland League East and Lowland League West. What to expect? We were both struggling for any sort of educated guesses for our score predictions for this one. One thing we didnt expect was to say “fit like” to John Collins* pre-game. Still looks fit as a fiddle in his late 50s.
On the pitch the teams both emerged in their away kits giving off an AC Milan v Fiorentina vibe to proceedings.In the first half, the game came across as a pre-season friendly, not much of a spectacle at all. Not much action overall. The hosts took the lead in controversial circumstances when Pollok keeper McAllister punted long to his forward Leyden, as he went to win in the air the Pollok man was clearly shoved to the ground in the centre circle. From here the ball was played out wide by GFR to be crossed in finding the head of Strickland who lost his man to nod home from the penalty spot. It counted but it really shouldn’t have.
HT 1 v 0
A half time game of kerbie(with our feet) was the kick about created by Wee Man. Good fun to fill in the 15 minutes.
The second half was better in terms of action, but it all came from Gala in the first 35 of the second period. They added a second through Hall on 58 minutes, this when he struck a rebound off a McAllister save to the other side of the keeper . A sound finish but Pollok seemed flat footed and didnt react as they saw the deficit doubled. Six minutes later it was trebled when Darren Lyons was gifted the ball when McAllister made a mess of a kick out. Lyons struck the ball back where it came from crashing off the post and nestling in the opposite side of the net, this complete with one of those satisfyingly audible cracks off the woodwork. Pollok were dead an buried but decided to start playing late on and created more chances in the last 10 than at any point in the game. They hit the bar, they came close, they pulled out saves and they grabbed a consolation when Lewis McCracken was at the end of a well worked move, although a bit fortunate to see the ball at his feet after the original shot blocked. This leading to the highlight of the game for us. A Pollok supporting Border Collie was that highlight. He started barking and jumping when the Lok scored. We thought it couldnt be the case he knew what was happening so we watched his actions. I swear on my kids life the dog was following the play and if we thought the barking at the goal was just by chance the first time, well Pollok scored a second and the Collie went feel jumping and barking again. Incredible stuff. But did he realise the second was chopped off?
The final whistle sounded and the long drive up the road beckoned but definitely worth it. A fantastic piece of architecture, new ground for both of us, chapter for the next book, awesome sticky toffee pudding and a dog who can follow fitba. Cracking day out.
*Looked him up to show Wee Man who he is when we got home. Turns out he’s a Galaite. It all makes sense.
Entrance – £10 me, Free Wee Man
Attendance – 122 (rough head count)
Pie – £6, Pie, coffee, pick n mix bag
Pint – £5.10, Tempest Helles, Kingknowes Hotel
Score Predictions – Me 1 v 1, Wee Man 1 v 2
Season Score Prediction Totals – Me 0 v 0 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 
The stand is awesome.
And John Collins was a top player.
LikeLike
Aye it sure is awesome. One of the best bits of architecture in Scottish fitba no doubt.
John Collins was a funny one. We were having a kick about behind the goal and for KO we went to get a pie. There were 5 guys standing in front of the board room. We needed to squeeze past. On guy said “on you go big man” and I went past. But i thought, i ken that voice. Unmistakeable gravely tone.i turned round and he was looking at me. So i said “fit like John, taking in real fitba, great to see” he said, “no stranger to the lower levels” and them I saw he looks like he could still play. Looks way better at 58 than i do at 41.
LikeLike