Gretna on track

Apr 1 2009 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

GRETNA continued their ascent up the East of Scotland Division 1 table with a hard fought win in the capital on Saturday.

In a game dominated by the border club, both teams fought hard although man-for-man, Leith were no match for their guests.

Gretna piled on the pressure from kick-off and on six minutes, Dan Carmichael used his customary speed to burst through the defence.

His cross was just too powerful though. 10 minutes later, Tony Nicholson's cross-cum-shot was saved by Iain Gordon in the home goal. Thirty seconds later, the Leith keeper was again a hero saving from Carmichael.

The only goal of the game came in the 23rd minute when Carmichael's cross beat the offside trap, allowing Sean Bannon to score his seventh goal in four games. Within five minutes Steven Rudd almost doubled the lead shooting on to the crossbar from 35 yards.

In the second half both Bannon and Ross Johnston, who had an excellent game at full back, came close and although there were chances for Bannon again and also a shot just past the post from Ryan Errington, neither side looked likely to score. Leith threatened to come back into the game midway through the half, but Gretna's defence held firm.

The result puts Gretna in third place, 2 points behind new joint leaders Tynecastle and Gala Fairydean.

Gretna's next game is at home to Kelso United on Saturday,April 4 at 2.30pm.

Gretna: John Jamieson, Ross Johnston, Dan Gullen, Simon Ruddick, Dean Rea, Steven Rudd, Ryan Errington, David Seggie, Tony Nicholson, Sean Bannon, Daniel Carmichael. Subs:Daniel Jeffrey, Andrew Trestianu, Shaun Milligan, Carl Murphy, Adam McMath.