Football: Gala day for Fairydean Rovers as club nets first ever trophy

Gala have lifted their first trophy since the Fairydean and Rovers merged a decade ago, after beating Linlithgow Rose in the final of the East of Scotland Cup.

With the scores tied at 2-2 after 90 minutes, the game went straight to penalties - with the Lowland League side going on to win the spot kicks 4-3.

It's also Martin's Scott's first trophy as a manager.

He told Radio Borders: "I'm just really delighted for the players. These guys have made history."

And the former Hibs, Ross County, and Livingston forward - who was capped for Scotland Under 21s - added: "It probably eclipses anything I ever done as a player, and I've scored some big goals and played in some big games. It's one of the best feelings I've ever had in football."

Gala had to bounce back from two goals behind, with just over half an hour of the game remaining, and a man short - after goal-keeper Ruairidh Adams was shown a straight red card for bringing down Mark Stowe outside his box, just before half-time.

Connor McMullan put Linlithgow ahead inside the first minute, and the East of Scotland Premier Division side, who had the better of the first half, went on to double their lead with a lob from Alan Docherty just before the hour mark.

Gala's hometown hero Danny Galbraith pulled one back from the penalty spot after being brought down soon after, before Ciaran Greene - whose dad, Shane, made his debut for the Fairydean Rovers at Ferguson Park ten years ago - equalised with just three minutes left on the clock.

Galbraith said: "It means so much to so many people, who have probably never really had a day like this in their history.

"It's great for the players but, for me, when you see the work people put in behind the scenes from a volunteer perspective, these are the days as players that we can really give them something back, and it's just brillant. I'm absolutely over the moon for everybody."

Linlithgow sent four penalties over the bar while their keeper Lewis McMinn saved three Gala efforts.

Then, with the scores tied at 3-3, substitute Ciaren Chalmers stepped up to fire the winning penalty into the net and create history.

There was a large turn-out from both the Borders and West Lothian at Rosewell - home of Whitehill Welfare - for the final in Midlothian.

Gala have dedicated the win to former player Ian Frizzel, who recently passed away.

WATCH: Click on the link to see the jubilant scenes after Gala's winning penalty...

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