Gala Rovers 1
Carluke Hearts 0
UNION CLUB SOUTH CUP FINAL

KEVIN JANIAK reports
from Victoria Park

TWELVE months ago, Gala Rovers were a fledgling team that had done remarkably well to reach the final of the South Cup.

On that occasion, not long after the change in administration at Gala Fairydean meant that the Rovers' playing personnel moved there en masse, Bruce Noble's men fell at the hands of Leithen Rovers.

In previous years, with different players, they have reached the final and semi-final several times.

There's no doubt that the South Cup is the title Rovers have been coveting most. It's a pity, then, that the last time they won it was back in 1964.

But on Saturday, those 44 years of hurt were consigned to the history books with a nervy but determined victory over Lanarkshire side Carluke Hearts.

All of a sudden, they were the nearly men no more.

A second-half strike from Craig Pinnons was the difference between the sides, but it was young Kyle Collins who stood out as the player who had improved the most dramatically over the last year.

The nephew of former Hibs boss John has always looked tricky on the ball, but he has built on his game and now looks a more rounded player. Indeed, his display on Saturday was enough to earn him the man-of-the-match award.

Also performing well was captain Stephen Noble, who was, for the most part, a steadying influence at the back.

Speaking after the game, Noble told TheSouthern: "I'm absolutely ecstatic. I enjoyed that game from the first minute to the last.

"It's the best feeling ever. I'm proud of all the players. Everybody gave their all on the park today.

"I'll remember this day for the rest of my life.

"Last year was such a disappointment. We didn't play at our best then and we wanted to do it this year. Everyone wanted it so much.

"We have battled hard in every round and have played some great football along the way and we got our reward today."

They certainly had to battle hard in the final. Carluke were new to the competition, but had beaten Hawick Legion, Upper Annandale, Newtongrange Star and Winton to reach the last hurdle. And they proved that they had several decent players. The impressive Stephen McDonald was at the heart of most of their attacks, and Derek Murdoch, Ian Prentice and Brett Ansell were all more than willing to make some lively runs for him.

Their finishing, however, was not as good. Their best chance came from a free kick 17 minutes in, after Brian Wilson fouled Prentice.

McDonald's free kick was flicked across the goalmouth by Ansell and headed goalwards by Stephen Duffy. But Gala keeper Stevie King was up to the task and parried the ball clear.

Carluke keeper, Ian Spiers, was kept busy too. No sooner had Dougie Bond forced a save low to his right, than he had to punch a Pinnons cross off the head of Andy Hardie.

And at the other end, with 34 minutes gone, Noble let Murdoch in on the wrong side in a rare mistake, but the Carluke striker could only fire across the face of goal.

Just before half-time, Hardie took a free kick from the edge of the box. His attempted chip just failed to dip in time and the ball fell onto the roof of the net.

Tackles were going in hard, and referee Willie Vivers had no option but to show the yellow card to several players. Some free kicks were given away in perilous positions by both sides, but neither could make the most of it. John Docherty's attempt early in the second half was a case in point.

After Hardie forced a save from Spiers with another free kick, Gala got the goal they were looking for. Collins sent a ball down the left flank for Pinnons, who took a couple of strides and sent a cracking shot out of the reach of Spiers and into the net.

They almost got a second. Collins was again the playmaker, his pass was played into Michael Mair's path by Carluke defender Derek Love, but the Gala substitute blasted the ball high over the bar.

Carluke did have a couple of late chances to equalise, but it was Gala's day.

Rovers boss Bruce Noble, was over the moon.

He told us: "This competition has been a thorn in our side for the past 15 years. We've been beaten in two finals and four or five semis. Today is just the icing on the cake for everybody to do with Gala Rovers.

"It's good we are getting this reward, considering last year we lost a whole team to Gala Fairydean.

"I'd really like to show my appreciation to those young guys who have really improved over the past two seasons.


"There's one or two youngsters there that are definitely going to go on to bigger and better things."

He had special praise for two players in particular. He said: "Young Kyle Collins was outstanding today, as was my son Stephen, who was tremendous at the back.

"I'm just simply delighted."

Gala Rovers: S. King, G. Nicol, R. Ramage, S. Noble, B. Wilson, P. Mackay (C. Middlemiss 88 mins), C. Pinnons, A. Hardie (M. Mair 72 mins), D. Sutherland, K. Collins and D. Bond (R. Noble 62 mins).

Carluke Hearts: I. Spiers, D. Love, J. Docherty, C. Semple, J. Muncie, G. Moffat, S. Duffy, S. McDonald, D. Murdoch, I. Prentice and Brett Ansell. Subs: M. Giluley, S. Meek, J. McGuiness, A. Ferguson and D. McDonald.

Click on the green button above to see the highlights.

And click here to see post-match interviews.