After a late, late postponement in December, the Rosey Posey finally made their first trip to Galabank this season.

There were seven changes to the side that faced Albion Rovers two weekends ago. With starting debuts for Friday evening arrivals Aaron Arnott and Robbie McGale, as well as goalkeeper Paddy Martin who officially signed on Saturday morning.

Moments after making his first stop for Rose - pushing away an Aidan Smith strike — Martin was forced into another fine save when he quickly reacted to keep out the forward once again after he met Chris Johnston’s cutback.

The hosts nabbed an opener after 24 minutes through the ever-threatening Aidan Smith. Full-back Charlie Barnes’ cross into the mixer caused a stramash, with the ball eventually falling to the number 9; who dutifully slammed the ball home on the turn – with the help of a deflection – past Martin from close range.

A chance came for the Rose when Conor Doan’s lofted corner was met by a leaping Chris Kane. The defender’s header was blocked and fell to stand-in skipper Kerr Young, though his contested swinging effort flew over the bar.

Tommy Goss spurned a gilt-edged opportunity four minutes into the second half when he got on the end of a low, drilled Max Kilsby cross. Somehow, despite the goal gaping and it looking harder to miss than score, the high-flying forward fired wide.

It didn’t take long for the lofty striker to get his goal, however. Scott Gray’s slip while chasing a long punt over the backline allowed Goss to bear down on goal and slot the ball beyond Martin to double the home side’s advantage.

With 15 to go, Kevin Smith and substitute Kieran Hall were through on goal, but referee Lloyd Wilson pulled back the attack for an alleged, if anything extremely soft, “foul” from Hall. From the resulting set-piece, Aidan Smith worked wonders on the left flank to tee up Kilsby, who made no mistake in expertly curling home a third Annan goal.

The referee was once again in the travelling support’s bad books when he awarded Annan a penalty minutes later when Scott Gray was alleged to have felled Johnston in the penalty area. Goss stepped up and confidently smashed home a fourth from the spot.

Ross Gray wiggled his way through a few Annan defenders before his powerful strike was blocked bravely by Scott Hooper in the final minute, and not too long later the referee blew the full-time whistle.

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