Gretna boss says there's no room for mistakes

May 8 2009 by Kieran Westbrook, Dumfries Standard Friday

GRETNA BOSS Stuart Rome has admitted that Saturday’s clash with Civil Service Strollers is their “last chance” for promotion.

Rome remains optimistic about his side’s prospects of keeping in the title fight, but knows a slip-up tomorrow would bring the dream to an end.

“It’s a big game for us. If we win our last five games we’ll get promoted. So it’s still in our hands – we’ve still got a great chance.

“And with the teams around us in the league still to play each other, there’s a lot of “ifs” and “buts”.

“It’s not over yet. It is our last chance. If we don’t win, I think it’ll be over.

Strollers threaten to pull away from the promotion-hunting pack if they beat Gretna at Raydale tomorrow, as they already hold a seven point lead over Rome’s side.

But although tomorrow’s game is vital to the team’s season, in many ways Rome feels his team have already won.

He said: “For me getting back to Raydale was like winning the championship. That’s the way I feel.

“Promotion was never on our agenda at the start of the year, but the boys are focusing on the title hunt, and it’d be great to top it off with promotion.

“We’ve just got to stay positive and get the result.”

Gretna enjoyed a bumper crowd at their return to Raydale last weekend, with 433 people turning out to watch the game.

And although Rome clearly relished the occasion, he admitted it might have affected his side’s performance as they stumbled to a 1-1 draw with Gala Fairydean.

He said: “It was fantastic to be back on Saturday - absolutely fantastic. And getting the sort of crowd we did was absolutely phenomenal.

“There were between 400 and 500 there, which is excellent for this level. It’s just a shame we didn’t play well on Saturday.

“I think the lads get a bit fazed by the bumper crowd. They’re young lads and it was a new experience for them.

“Hopefully the crowd could see our performance was down to nerves and not our ability.

Gretna’s vital clash with Strollers kicks off at Raydale at 2.30pm.