Match Report

A cracking summer’s evening in the Borders saw James McDonaugh’s new-look City squad get it’s first run out. The majority of the new signings were involved with the exception of Robbie McIntyre and the match was played in a very competitive manner from the off, with both sets of players putting in some full-blooded challenges.

City struck first with a great low drive into the corner from debutant Allan Smith, who looked extremely lively, with powerful direct running throughout. City doubled their lead with Smith’s second, capitalising on a goalkeeping error near half-time.

The second half saw both sides making wholesale changes, with City giving a run out to a number of u20s, along with Dylan Burns and the returning Zack Karadachki, the latter having been out for nearly a year with a serious knee injury. Despite the changes City kept their quality high and extended their lead when Blair Henderson converted a penalty ten minutes into the second half. Gala played their part in this match and got a consolation goal of their own through Chris Mitchell, however City restored their three goal advantage when Graham Taylor converted a cross ball superbly into the far corner.

Overall an excellent start to the pre-season preparations, a number of very positive performances and a couple of really good finishes too. Of the absentees, Josh Walker is still recovering from some treatment on a knee injury that troubled him last season, while Robbie McIntyre, John Dunn and Calum Hall are yet to return from holiday.

Next up is another Lowland League outfit in Whitehill Welfare at Ainslie Park this coming Saturday.

Man-of-the-Match: Allan Smith