retired_blacko

6th September 2005

League Cup 1st Round

Ayr 0-2 Gretna

Two well-worked goals from David Bingham sealed Gretna’s passage into the 2nd round. An out of sorts Kenny Deuchar was substituted again but an all round excellent Gretna performance.


10th September 2005

Division 2

Forfar 0-4 Gretna

Kenny Deuchar was back on top form as Gretna made light work of a poor Forfar side. The striker scored twice in the first fifteen minutes to set Gretna off to a comfortable performance. David Graham nabbed his first goal of the season before half time and a Paul Shields own goal completed the scoring. David Bingham picked up a shoulder injury which keeps him out for a week.


17th September 2005

Division 2

Gretna 5-0 Stranraer

Another easy game for Gretna as Kenny Deuchar continued his habit of scoring early in games. His two efforts on 10 and 16 minutes rattled Stranraer and they had no answer to Gretna’s fluent passing and movement. Steven Tosh, Luke Ibbotson and David Noble also scored for the league leaders.

retired_blacko

Gretna Go Cross Country

There was an audible groan from the Gretna dressing room when they heard the days plan.

Padraic Kennedy had not been satisfied with his side’s fitness levels in recent weeks and with a big game against Hamilton coming up he had ordered his new assistant Wolfgang Grobe to take the team on a run around the lake. Fitness was Grobe’s speciality.

They set off from the training ground at ten o’ clock. Chris Innes was missing due to a twisted ankle which was probably going to rule him out of Saturday’s game.

After 2 miles there was the first casualty. Striker Andy Smith dropped out with cramp. The 36 year old was a veteran of previous Gretna sides but he was really only still in the squad for nostalgic motives.

The under 19s were allowed to leave after five miles as they had a game the next day. At this point the group that left the club had broken up into several packs with David Bingham, Steven Tosh and Luke Ibbotson leading the way.

The sun was high in the sky by the time they arrived back at the training ground. There had been no further drop-outs and Kennedy took over the training for a brief tactical session.

retired_blacko

A New Enemy

“We will beat Gretna on Sunday and we will beat them to the league title.”

The words of Alan Maitland, Hamilton manager.

“Why do they always pick on me?” thought Padraic Kennedy. He didn’t really like these media mind games but he was consistently baited and found himself drawn into insulting someone regularly. This was a big game and he would have to be careful. Hamilton were by no means a poor side. They were gradually establishing themselves as Gretna’s main rivals for promotion and in Alan Maitland they had a very shrewd manager.

After some consideration Kennedy decided to go on the warpath. He issued a statement declaring the high levels of confidence at Raydale Park and that Hamilton would get nothing from them on Saturday.

But privately Kennedy was worried. Chris Innes was injured and he also had concerns about David Bingham’s fitness. The forward’s shoulder was still not 100% right and Kennedy was not sure whether or not to risk starting him.

retired_blacko

24th September 2005

Hamilton 1-0 Gretna

At New Douglas Park

Attendance : 4320

Referee : Graeme Alison

Padraic Kennedy had blown it and he knew it. He was beginning to show signs of being human. His mind games had slapped him in the face. He had issued a press release saying Hamilton had a big task to get promoted. Unfortunately it had been misinterpreted by the media to the point which it was reported that Kennedy believed Maitland had all the qualities required to help Hamilton to promotion.

The dressing room was silent. Panic was etched on the place of every Gretna player. Padraic Kennedy could see it and he wasn’t happy.

“We are top of the league. That’s not easy. We’ve battled through games and excelled ourselves. But none of that matters here. To them we are nothing. Just chewing gum on their soles. They think we’re going to implode and show our “true” colours.

But we won’t, will we? We’ll go out and fight. Keep the ball. If they don’t have it they don’t have it they can’t score. And we’re always moving, looking for the ball and creating space. Get the ball to Kenny and Luke quickly and then support them. You all have your jobs to do, so go out and show we mean business.”

First Half

The first opportunity came to Hamilton. Javary was put through but pulled his shot wide of nick Colgan’s left post. Hamilton looked the better side. Their passing was crisper and they deservedly took the lead on 20 minutes.

A one two on the edge of the box put James Grady one on one with Colgan and the Hamilton player tucked the ball into the bottom corner. The half fizzled out with Gretna failing to break down a resilient Hamilton defence.

Half Time

Kennedy was furious. Everything he told to do hadn’t happened. Fergus Tiernan and David Noble were seeing a lot of the ball but not showing the incisiveness that they usually possessed. He tried to encourage his players but couldn’t see where a comeback would come from. Tey all looked equally dejected.

Second Half

The second half carried on with Hamilton making all the clear chances. Gretna were lucky not to be two down on several occasions but for some wayward shooting.

David Bingham came on with half an hour to go but had little impact on the game. Kenny Deuchar flashed a shot on goal but Allan Morrison dived to his right and held the ball. The final whistle blew leaving a dejected Padraic Kennedy to pick up the pieces. They had Dundee United in the League Cup midweek and they would need to be better than they had been all season. Hamilton took over custody of first place with this victory and Kennedy would knew it wouldn’t be given up easily.

Gretna Team:

N. Colgan
D. Van Zanten
S. Mc Laughlin
S. Greacen
M. Smith
S.Tosh
R.Baldacchino
F.Tiernan
D. Noble
K. Deuchar
L.Ibbotson

Subs

D.Bingham for L. Ibbotson
D.Mathieson
G. Skelton
D.Graham
R.Prokas

retired_provrb7

I think you answered your own question there... Maybe they know that you hate being picked on

retired_blacko

I think you answered your own question there... Maybe they know that you hate being picked on </BLOCKQUOTE>



*cries just a little bit and then remembers who he is*

Shut Up

retired_provrb7

I think you answered your own question there... Maybe they know that you hate being picked on </BLOCKQUOTE>



*cries just a little bit and then remembers who he is*

Shut Up </BLOCKQUOTE>

BWAHAHAHA That btw was my evil laugh and I'd hate you to experience my even eviler laugh

retired_blacko

I think you answered your own question there... Maybe they know that you hate being picked on </BLOCKQUOTE>



*cries just a little bit and then remembers who he is*

Shut Up </BLOCKQUOTE>

BWAHAHAHA That btw was my evil laugh and I'd hate you to experience my even eviler laugh </BLOCKQUOTE>

I think evil laughs are more effective when I actually understand what's happening

I also stand by what I said, Shut up

Checkmate

retired_provrb7

Touche'!

retired_blacko

Dammit. He's using French. Think, ffs, think...

... Shut Up