Gretna fail to exact revenge

Apr 15 2009 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

GRETNA started this East of Scotland League Division One match facing the only team to defeat them in the league this season, having lost at St Mark's Park 1-0 in December.

The early pressure paid off when, only eight minutes into the game, a left wing cross from Dan Carmichael was headed over the Craigroyston keeper and into the net by Sean Bannon.

At the other end of the pitch Kris O'Neil did well with a powerful shot that brought a good save from the legs of Gretna’s Jonny Jamieson.

On 17 minutes, with his back to goal, Sean Bannon held up the ball well and laid off a good pass to Ryan Errington but the midfielder’s rather weak shot was easily gathered by Craig Weir.

Craigroyston, working hard to stem this early Gretna pressure, were unfortunate not to equalise after 30 minutes when Steve Manson’s excellent looping shot from just outside the penalty area was well held by the Gretna keeper.

Gretna still created good chances including two shots from Sean Bannon, one deflected for a corner and a second speculative drive from the right bye line being saved by the oncoming keeper.

Both teams had chances close to half-time when Ryan Errington shot just past the post, after another good cross from Dan Carmichael laid off by Sean Bannon, closely followed at the other end by a Craigie header which went just wide.

Four minutes into the second period, a great piece of skill by Dan Carmichael produced an excellent cross that went just over Ryan Errington’s head.

After 59 minutes Dan Gullen sustained an injury, being replaced by David Renyard and 10 minutes later a good double save by Jamieson prevented a Craigroyston equaliser.

On 70 minutes, successive shots by Carl Murphy and David Seggie were blocked and with the third attempt David Renyard fired wide.

Three minutes later, Craigroyston got their equaliser when a dubious free kick, given for a foul by Ryan Errington, was headed into the net by Kevin Morrison.

With 78 minutes on the clock Craigroyston took the lead when a mistake by Jonny Jamieson presented Kris O’Neil with a simple tap in.

With 10 minutes to go, Shaun Milligan, brought on for Ryan Errington, was soon in the action. After dribbling into the penalty area, he was forced to shoot just over by the oncoming keeper.

Gretna continued to press until the very end but failed to find the net.

Gretna’s next match will be at home to Leith Athletic in the East of Scotland Football League 1st Division on Saturday (kick off 2.30pm).

Gretna: John Jamieson, Dean Rea, Daniel Gullen, Simon Ruddick, Nikki White, John Jardine, Ryan Errington, David Seggie, Dean Bannon, Daniel Rayson, Daniel Carmichael. Subs: Andrew Trestianu, Shaun Milligan, Adam McMath, Carl Murphy, David Renyard.

Attendance: 145.