Capital clubs have Gala on their tail

THE Central Taxis First Division title has become a three-horse race after Gala Fairydean boosted their promotion hopes with a resounding 5-0 victory against Peebles Rovers last night.

Heriot-Watt University and Preston Athletic occupy the top two spots, but Gala, if they win their two games in hand, will overtake Preston and move into second position, one point ahead of the Prestonpans club.

Gerri Rossi and Jack Hay gave the Netherdale side a 2-0 half-time lead and they confirmed their emphatic win with further goals from Craig Tyson, Rob Hewitson and Michael Fairburn.

There was a similar 5-0 scoreline in the Premier Division mid-table clash where Whitehill Welfare beat visitors Edinburgh City. With no goals after nearly 45 minutes, City seemed certain to take the lead, but Whitehill’s Michael Bruce cleared a net-bound shot from the goal-line and the home side raced the length of the park where Aaron Somerville netted.

Wayne McIntosh scored a second immediately after the interval, then Bruce edged Whitehill further ahead before he was sent off. Somerville notched two further goals to complete his hat-trick.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh University lost 3-2 on penalty kicks after drawing 2-2 away to Stirling University in the semi-final of the inter-Scottish Universities Queen’s Park Shield.