Callan plays a blinder to keep out Gretna

Civil nearly scored with their first attack of this 0-0 draw but Kerr’s touch failed to find the net as Gretna survived the early scare.

In the 20th minute, Alan Main ran with the ball evading several challenges before bringing a great save from Strollers’ keeper Bruce Callan. Gretna midfielder Joe Slattery was also denied by a great save as Callan tipped the ball against the post.

In the 40th minute Adam McMath looked to have broke the dealock but Callan turned the ball behind for a corner. Steven Rudd latched onto the resultant corner kick and his goalbound shot was blocked on the line,

Gretna started the second half the way they finished the first, on the attack. Strollers offered little in attack as the home side penned them in their own half for most of the game. A Rea free kick found Armstrong in the area but Callan saved his side again and moments later Slattery slipped a perfectly weighted pass to Armstrong but the young forward shot straight at Callan.

Gretna 2008: K Townsley, S Atkinson, G Goodwin, P Leighfield, S Rudd, D Rea, D Renyard, A Main, A McMath, J Slattery, D Armstrong. Subs: M Shiel, S Degnan, J Cowley, S Royo Ochoa, R Vallance.

Civil Service Strollers: B Callan, D Aird, D McAleavy, S Lister, J Young, E Mearns, R Aitchison, C Brigain, JR Kerr, P Scales, G Burns. Subs: B Raynham, A Wague, A Raeburn, M Sommerville, P Tansey.