retired_brianrt

"...it was a good win boss, we played really well and were really solid at the back. Juanjo looks to be starting well"

"I might have to move him to midfield for a bit, with Ryan and David Graham's injuries, but he can create for us there"

"Lets get a good start to the season, and a decent enough run"

retired_brianrt

Scottish League Cup 1st Round
Gretna 2-2 St. Johnstone (4-3 on pens)
Scorers: Graham, Caulfield OG

This was the first time we met St. Johnstone, and the new chairman was my old mate Sean McDowell, the journalist from the Gretna Echo. I felt he had something to do with Simon and Dale's attacks, but i couldn't prove anything. The game itself was a fantastic affair, end to end for 90 minutes, and then for the 30 minutes of extra-time. No-one could break the deadlock so Penalties decided the game. Each side took an incredible 1 penalties, with St Johnstone missins the deciding penalty to send us through to the 2nd round. Belting game, good result, and shocking exhibition of penalties.

retired_brianrt

"I have never seen a worse exhibition of penalties. Each side took 13, and we only scored 7 between us"

"Yes but we're through though, so thats all that matters"

"You're right, lets keep this run going"

retired_brianrt

"...did you hear McDowell after the game? He was complaining about the referee, saying they were robbed as ou first goal was offside"

"Rubbish. Hes a sore loser. What else did he say?"

"He cant see us doing well in the 1st Diviison and we might go straight back down"

"Really? I think the squad might have something to say about that. Lets prove him wrong"

retired_brianrt

Scottish 1st Division
Gretna 1-1 Brechin
Scorers: Deuchar

Another solid performance again today, both teams cancelled each other out so a draw was probably a fair result. We took the lead through a fine individual goal from Kenny, but to their credit Brechin scored 3 minutes later and thats how it stayed until the final whistle. We seem to be a lot more solid this season, and should concede less goals.

retired_brianrt

"...they might not be going too well Si, but they are still a dangerous proposition. In this division, no game is easy"

"Yeah you're right boss. Still, with their squad they should be pushing for promotion, not fighting relegation"

"Im sure, but its up to us to keep them down there for today"

retired_brianrt

Scottish 1st Division
Gretna 2-1 St. Mirren
Scorers: Bingham (2)

We were the best team out there today, though the scoreline suggests it was a lot closer than it actually was. We took the lead on the stroke of half-time, after countless attempts on goal, with a well taken goal from David Bingham. He scored again in the 76th minute, and though St Mirren pulled a late goal back, we were never in danger. Good win for us today, and good performance from the boys

retired_brianrt

Challenge Cup 2nd Round
Gretna 1-2 Clyde
Scorers: McGinty

We weren't at the races today, and deserved to get beaten. We started brightl, and took the lead in the opening 20 minutes, but we just got complacent after that and allowed Clyde to come at us. We paid the price for some sloppy marking on set-pieces, as Clyde scored 2 headed goals in the second half to send us crashing out of the competition. We were disappointing, and i wasn't happy with the lads

retired_brianrt

"What is it with this lot, we just cant seem to beat them. Thats 3 games now, and we havent beaten them in any of them!"

"I know its a jinx we need to get rid of quickly, considering they are in out division"

"We didn't deserve the win today, but i dont know if the players realise we havent beaten them yet though"

"I don't know boss, maybe they do, and its a psychological thing"

retired_brianrt

Scottish 1st Division
Gretna 3-1 Dundee Utd
Scorers: Baldacchino, Custodio, McConalogue

Stephen McConalogue had not played a game for us becuase of injury this season, but he was back fit for this game, against the club who we signed him from. He was only there 5 months, but they made it clear top him he was for the future, and he wasn't happy there. He desperately wanted to start, but we both agreed he would sit on the bech as he had only just go fit. We outplayed the recently relegated side from start to finish, but we were only 2-1 up with 10 minutes left. We had scored our 2nd on the 65th minute, just before I introduced Stephen to the game. It was Stephen however, who fittingly got the 3rd goal, that sealed the game and all 3 points for us, and we showed what we were made of and that we could hold our own against a top team.