Fairies reign while Hay shines
Published 30 Sep 2011 09:30
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Gala Faiydean 8 v Hawick Royal Albert 1
TEENAGE hat-trick hero Jack Hay admits his William Hill Scottish Cup debut was a day he'll remember.
The 17-year-old fired himself to the top of the competition's leaderboard as he led Hawick's demolition.
Hay told us: "It was a great experience to play in the Scottish Cup and getting the goals makes it even better.
"I'll remember this game, that's for sure, and I'm just pleased to be in the next round."
It's not very often Gala will go into a Scottish Cup tie such short favourites - but they justified their odds with an accomplished opening 20 minutes.
New dad Jay Wilson delivered a perfect angled cross in the 10th minute for Hay to provide a powerful looping header over Chris Anderson and into the top corner of the net.
Alan Jackson doubled the lead eight minutes later as Anderson flapped at a cross and the loose ball fell kindly for the Gordon farmer.
If there was a chink in the Fairydean armour, it came in the closing stages of the first half as they allowed Hawick back into the match.
The Albert managed to step up the pace and began to create their own chances. Ryan Sclater was forced to make a telling recovery tackle to prevent Peter Gellairty shooting from close range.
On the half hour the Royalists were rewarded with a memorable curling freekick from the left foot of Luke Cooper which left Elliot Turnbull rooted to the spot.
Hawick continued to charge forward looking for the equaliser but Gala held on until the break.
It was all set up for a classic Borders derby with the ultimate prize of a place in the second round - as well as around £2,000 - for the winner.
But the Fairies made sure there wasn't going to be any upset with a polished second half performance. Grant Gass drilled a low shot into the net only 90 seconds after the restart.
Hay sprinted between Craig Wilson and Chris Batten just eight minutes later to slot the ball into the net for Gala's fourth.
And the tie was sealed before the hour with Gerry Rossi blasting a shot home from the edge of the area.
Substitute Aaron Brunton drilled in a sixth before Wilson chipped in the seventh on 69 minutes. Sclater and Wilson both hit the woodwork before Hay scored his third from the penalty spot in the final minute after Liam Laverty fouled Jackson.
Fairydean boss Fraser Lothian said: "We didn't play well in the first half but rather than shout at them during half time we just said that we expected better. I thought we showed what we can do in the second half and I was pleased with the way we took our goals."
Gala Fairydean. E Turnbull, R Sclater, A Brown (R Glass 67), G Lothian, C McBride, P Young (R Hewitson 70), A Jackson, G Gass (A Brunton 64), G Rosi, J Wilson & J Hay
Hawick Royal Albert. C Anderson, K McCaughey, B Tait, C Wilson (S Sharkey 61), C Batten, P Gellairty, L Laverty, M Deans (J Easdon 61), S Owens, R McConnell & L Cooper (A Maltman 70).
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 30 Sep 11
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