Match report by CAMERON WANSTALL

Stephen Hatfield’s men came up against a Rose side that made two changes from last weekend’s narrow victory over University of Stirling. In between the sticks, Mark Weir stepped in for Mikey Andrews while Kerr Young replaced Bob Wilson at the back.

Both sides attempted to find their (likely frozen) feet in an uneventful opening 15 minutes, but we finally had our first moment of note at a baltic Raydale Park when Young, on his return to the starting eleven, rose highest in the box to open the scoring.

With Lee Currie off the pitch receiving treatment, it was Neil Martyniuk who whipped in a fantastic deep corner that found Young at the back post. The centre-back looped his header over the Gretna ‘keeper and though the opposing number one did try his best to claw the ball back into play, the referee - after taking a moment to make his decision - hesitantly awarded the goal.

Rose took control of the tie following the goal and chances kept falling their way. The best of which came when Dean Brett somehow found himself charging forward on the left flank before combining with Kieran Hall to put Bradley Barrett in behind the opposition backline. The wing-back’s powerful strike from an acute angle forced a strong stop from the hosts’ shot-stopper.

Skipper Jonny Stewart was clearly full of festive spirit as he gifted those in attendance with a rare collector’s item when he nabbed his first goal of the season to double Rose’s lead. A corner only cleared to the edge of the area dipped to the feet of Stewart, who made the sweetest of connections with his half-volley to fire beyond the helpless opposition goalkeeper.

Keiran McGachie came inches away from making it three before half-time when he got on the end of an inswinging Currie corner. Keys’ well-placed downward nod beat the ‘keeper but was cleared on the goalline by the man on the post.

Instead it was ‘Wee Keys’ who grabbed the third goal of the game ten minutes after the restart. Hall timed his run to perfection, beating the offside trap, as Currie slipped him in behind the Gretna defence for a one-on-one. The forward slid in to slam the ball home from ten yards out and all but seal victory for Rose.

As the temperature dropped at Raydale, so did the tempo of the game. Robbie Horn’s men were content with keeping possession and keeping a tight backline that had kept Gretna from generating any chances - clear cut or otherwise.

A dry twenty-minute spell of no memorable moments ended when substitute George Hunter smacked the woodwork. The forward snuck in behind the defence and, despite being under heavy pressure from the covering centre-half, did well to let off a poked effort that clipped the outside of the post.

With time running down, Gretna eventually managed to get themselves forward for the first time in the game. The hosts produced a smattering of chances in quick succession, the best of which came when their captain let off a fairly troublesome effort from distance toward the bottom corner. Though an outstretched Weir managed to comfortably hold onto the ball.

A fourth goal alluded Rose in the closing stages. Barrett again was at the end of a sweeping team move up the park but, once again, a lethal strike from an awkward angle was parried clear. Hunter also had a second chance on goal saved when his glancing header from a clipped Young cross didn’t generate enough power to fly past the goalkeeper.

A potential run of six straight league clean sheets - dating back to October 9th - was quashed by a late, late header deep into stoppage time from a corner. Great delivery, great header.

No matter, however. An admirable away victory was secured in the freezing cold to collect another crucial three points. There’s your Christmas sorted, folks. We hope to see you on Boxing Day!

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