Alex Jack Cup Semi-Final Gretna 5-2 Kelso

Last updated 11:58, Monday, 03 November 2008

The new Gretna reached their first ever cup final by beating fellow East of Scotland League 1 team Kelso United in front of a crowd of 130.

New keeper, ex-Carlisle United stopper Adam Bradley, was solid in goal and commanded his back line well.

But the star of the game was skipper Tony Nicholson with a hat-trick.

The game was pretty much even for the first 20 minutes, with both sides showing an attacking spirit. Gretna opened the scoring with a short range blast from Daniel Carmichael on 22 minutes.

Three minutes later, the visitors nearly equalised with a goalmouth scramble that somehow just didn’t go in the net.

Carmichael got his second on 24 minutes and Nicholson made it 3-0 less than a minute later with a fine solo effort as Gretna dominated.

Three minutes before half time, it was 4-0, with another fine goal from the Gretna skipper.

Gretna survived a scare on 55 minutes when a back pass bounced in front of Bradley, catching him out, but fortunately the ball went round the outside of the post.

Nicholson’s hat-trick came after 74minutes and Gretna were cruising. However there was time for Kelso to steal two consolation goals, the first of which was an excellent chip over Bradley by Kelso’s Paul McDermott.

Chris Black added a second in the dying seconds when Gretna failed to clear in a crowded box.

Overall, this was another entertaining display from the Black and Whites, taking them to the final against Tynecastle on 29th November (venue to be confirmed).

The game also saw a strong sub’s debut from the new signing from Millwall, Ola Alabi.

Gretna’s next game is away against Stirling University in the Image Printers Cup (2pm KO).