Table top ambitions

Apr 3 2009 by Kieran Westbrook, Dumfries Standard Friday

GRETNA have the chance to go top of the first division if they can extend their five-game winning streak to six matches and results go their way this weekend.

The Black and White take on 10th-placed Kelso United, while the two teams above them in the league also battle it out.

A win for Gretna and a draw between Tynecastle and Gala Fairydean would see them leapfrog both teams and take pole position.

But Gretna boss Stuart Rome has told the Standard he refuses to focus on what other sides are doing.

Rome said: “We’re in control.

“If we win all out games in hand over Tynecastle, we’ll be four points clear of them.

“If we keep winning, we’ll get promoted, it’s as simple as that.

“If we win our games, no one can touch us, and that’s a great position to be in.

“While we’re in control, we’re happy and it doesn’t matter how other sides do.”

April will be a key month of Gretna, with six games being squeezed into the month, allowing them to wade through the backlog of matches postponed in winter.

But despite the prospect of a congested fixture list, Rome remains unfazed.

“We’ve got around two games a week, but we knew this would come around.

“We’ve six games, and five of them are at home, so I can’t complain.

“The pitch will really suffer but there’s nothing we can do about that except offer help and support to make sure it’s ready.”

During the month, each of the top five teams will play at least one other title-contending side.

And with only three points separating them, April will undoubtedly separate the title challengers from the rest of the pack.