Match report: Gala Fairydean Rovers 2, BSC Glasgow 0

The 24-year-old netted twice against BSC Glasgow at the Galashiels side’s Netherdale home ground on Saturday to move within two points of Scottish Lowland Football League leaders East Kilbride.

Taylor Mackenzie said: “BSC are, for me, probably the best team in the league, yet we showed out there that we have the strength and belief to more than match them.

“I’m delighted with my goals but even more delighted that we have kept this winning run going.

“We no longer fear teams and that shows, and there’s no reason we can’t keep this run going.”

The Glaswegians arrived at Gala full of confidence after an unbeaten start to the season, and during the first half, they showed, by keeping the home side pinned deep for long periods, their credentials as title challengers.

Despite high pressing from Stephen Swift’s team, Rovers were still able to mount a few eye-catching counter attacks.

The best chances in the opening 20 minutes both fell to Gala, with Phil Addison being denied by a Craig McCracken goal-line clearance, and Danny Galbraith shaving the bar with a dipping freekick.

Michael Anderson did have a great opportunity to fire BSC in front approaching the half-hour mark but he shot a foot over after being threaded through.

And within a couple of minutes, Ross Aitchison was also sent on his way by a clever Addison flick, only to be denied by a fine Stephen Barr block.

Rovers could count themselves fortunate to still be level at the interval, however, as Darren Christie’s angled cross on 44 minutes was steered against the post by Ryan Tierney.

Their half-time clean sheet was deserved by the makeshift pairing of Craig McBride and Gareth Rodger in central defence, along with their impressive full-backs, Calum Hall and Lewis Grant, by standing up well to BSC’s movement and pace.

McBride had a chance at the start of the second half to edge Gala in front, but his snapshot inside the area was comfortably saved by Barr.

The hosts didn’t have too long to wait for an opener, though.

On the hour, Archie Roue’s low free-kick from wide on the left was dummied by near-post runner Addison, allowing Taylor Mackenzie to blast home from eight yards.

Worse was to follow for BSC just a few minutes later as Andy Geggan collected a second yellow card for again tripping Taylor Mackenzie in midfield.

Gala almost immediately took advantage of having an extra man, with both Addison and Aitchison being denied by Barr in the space of three minutes.

Substitute Marc Berry was also denied by a goal-line clearance after latching onto a clever cut-back by Addison.

BSC still posed a threat, though, and McCracken headed a deep free-kick just a few inches over Fraser Morton’s bar.

Gala needed the safety net of a second and it almost arrived in the 84th minute as Jacob Campbell this time ran onto an Addison cut-back, only to have his shot palmed away by Barr at his near post.

The second goal arrived just two minutes later as a corner was only cleared as far as Taylor Mackenzie, who smashed a low shot into the net from 15 yards.

Gala manager Neil Hastings said afterwards: “In terms of spirit and character, it was there in abundance.

“BSC are flying this season and edged the first half, yet we stood up to that and came out as the better team in the second half. I thought every player for us out there was excellent today.”

Gala Fairydean Rovers. F Morton, L Grant, C Hall, C McBride, G Rodger, S Taylor Mackenzie, A Roue (M Berry 70), R Aitchison, P Addison (A Walsh 88), D Galbraith (L Campbell 89) & J Campbell (S Ward 89).