JIMMY PLEASED WITH PRE SEASON PROGRESS

Gala Fairydean Rovers continued their build-up for the new season ahead in the Lowland League with a 1-0 win over Haddington Athletic at Netherdale on Saturday.

A second half goal from defender Kieron Moyles, a summer signing from Hutchison Vale, edged the home side past the East of Scotland Premier Division outfit.

Saturday’s victory was the Netherdale club's second game of the pre-season after going down 1-0 against SPFL side Edinburgh City last week.

After the game, an upbeat Martin Scott said he was “pleased” with his side’s pre-season so far.

He added: “Overall I am pretty pleased with our progress in recent weeks.

“We spoke to the squad about expectations before the game and the standards we want to set.

“Against Edinburgh City, there is that added edge with them being a League Two side and you flip that when you're playing at home against a very good East of Scotland Premier League team>

“They were very good, well organised and well coached.

“They've got some quality players and they gave us some problems in the first half in terms of our press.

“We couldn't quite get it right, and we maybe forced things, and were maybe too eager with that expectation up on our shoulders.

“But I thought we settled down. I thought the goal really helped that and then towards the latter stages of the game, our quality started to show, and we had a few opportunities that we could have scored from.

“It is never going to be perfect at this stage of pre pre-season, we have had a couple of teething issues we have to work on in the training ground, and we'll continue to do that.

“But overall, pretty positive.”

Martin Scott’s side heads to Musselburgh this Saturday for the annual John McLay Memorial Cup fixture - kick off at Olivebank is 2.30 p.m.

Vale of Leithen are the visitors to Netherdale on Tuesday (July 15) kick off 7.45pm for another pre-season friendly.

The preparations are rounded off for Gala when Linton Hotspur visit Netherdale on Saturday, July 19, kick off at 2p.m.

The season kicks off with a trip to face Linlithgow Rose on Saturday July 26 while Bonnyrigg Rose will be the first visitors to Netherdale in the 2025-26 season on Wednesday, July 30, kick off 7.45pm.