MATCH REPORT: Goals galore at Galabank for the Ladies

Reds Ladies got their pre-season underway and emerged easy winners in a cross-border raid to Annan.

They met Annan Athletic Ladies at Galabank and recorded an 8-0 victory with six of the goals coming in the last twenty minutes.

It was only 2-0 at the break with the opener an unfortunate own-goal, following a corner, in the ninth minute.

One of the new recruits, Morgan McGrady, doubled the advantage five minutes later – a well struck shot from outside the box.

Reds saw two efforts hit the woodwork early in the second half but they didn’t increase the lead until the seventieth minute with Holly Redmond getting her first of the afternoon.

That goal broke the host’s resistance and Reds were camped in Annan’s half throughout the later stages.

Laura Ivison bagged the fourth after seventy two minutes before Sophie Birkett headed the fifth soon after.

McGrady netted her second five minutes from time but the Athletic goalkeeper sustained a shoulder injury whilst attempting to make a save and had to leave the field with her arm in a sling.

The deputy ‘keeper conceded two further goals in the remaining few minutes, the seventh direct from Megan Yarnold’s free kick with Redmond completing the rout with her second, Reds’ eighth, just before the end.  

Referee Robin Ferguson had to rely on a volunteer from each club to act as an assistant referee and running the line in front of the main stand was Russell Brown, the former MP for Dumfries and Galloway, now a club official at the Scottish League Two club.

Reds Ladies will play their next pre-season game at Whitehaven on Sunday.