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With games against Annan Athletic, Willington and Workington Reds postponed, Jimmy McMurdo and his side were in desperate search of friendlies as the season approached, and tonight's trip to Westmorland League outfit Greystoke was a welcomed outing for the team. The hosts, who play in the top division of the Westmorland League, offered a warm welcome to the fifteen-man squad and their supporters, and their were four Gilly substitutions as Jimmy ensured each player got a run-out and the chance to build their fitness. An interesting game ensued in the opening stages with both sides playing passing football and neither team reluctant to shoot, but it was the visitors who were on top, with Stuart Forester in the home goal coping well with some good shots from the Park. However, it was the Westmorland outfit who scored first as, against the run of play, they broke upfield and Hayton's shot from distance glided over the outstretched arm of Gillford stopper Jack Twentyman. This spurred the visitors on as they created a number of chances, but despite both Lee Otway and Stuart Moffat going close they could not find the equaliser and found themselves one-down at half-time. The second half was in many ways a re-run of the first, with Gillford enjoying the bulk of play but Stuart Forester maintaining the clean sheet in the Greystoke goal. Again, twenty minutes into the half, Greystoke managed to score as ex-Annan Athletic 'keeper Gavin Armstrong, making his first outing isince departing Galabank, was cleverly lobbed by Taylor, and the score stayed at 2-0 until the final few minutes. Gillford continued to press and probe the Greystoke defence and with seven minutes left were rewarded as, in his first outing for Gilly, Craig Thomson (mk 2)'s shot sailed high into the left corner of the Greystoke goal. Now with the momentum, Gillford continued to pressure the Greystoke back line but despite some good work could not convert the chances. Nevertheless, there are many positives to be taken from this match, while it is evident that the Alliance Premier newboys will have to continue the hard work in other areas. All in all, not a bad night capped off by the warm welcome in The Boot afterwards, with the bacon rolls and chips not at all bad. |