Gretna boss aiming for happy return

May 1 2009 by Kieran Westbrook, Dumfries Standard Friday

GRETNA BOSS Stuart Rome is looking for three points from his team as they make their sensational return to Raydale tomorrow.

Gretna take on Gala Fairydean in a must-win game and although Rome expects a party atmosphere, he stressed that his players have a job to do.

Rome said: “We’re back home now and hopefully there’ll be a lot of local interest on Saturday.

“But we’re not neglecting the football side of things at all.

“Saturday is a big game, and we need a win.

“If we win all our remaining games we’ll be promoted, and that’s what we’re looking at.

“It would be the icing on the cake - it wasn’t a target at the start of the season, but it would be a big bonus.”

Gretna drew 0-0 with Stirling last weekend, falling foul of a controversial decision to disallow a Gretna goal.

But despite the decision, Rome remained pleased with the performance and the result.

Rome added: “We played well at the weekend.

“We had a goal disallowed. I didn’t see it to be honest, but these things happen.

“It was a good point against one of our rivals.

“Hopefully we have turned the corner now after dropping points in our last four games.

“Everyone’s buoyant and the new stadium has been a real lift for the boys.”

Rome’s side have had a dismal month, not winning a single game in April.

But after a flawless March saw them win every single match, his team remain in the hunt for promotion - only four points adrift of the second promotion-spot.

And with games in hand over every team above them, Rome knows how important tomorrow’s game is.

He said: “It’s a massive game really.

“It’s [Gala Fairydean’s] last game of the season.

“They’ve a new management structure, and their players will want to impress.

“They’ll come here to beat us and it’s up to us to lift our game.”

Gretna return to Raydale, with the match kicking off at 2.30pm on Saturday.