Anvils survive Mids scare

Mid Annandale 3-5 Gretna FC 2008 LOWLAND League side Gretna 2008 rolled up to New King Edward Park, Lockerbie on Wednesday night for a Utility Hut Ltd sponsored quarter final of the Southern Counties F.A. Challenge Cup and, despite the gulf in League status, the Mids gave their more illustrious opponents a real run for their money in front of a sizeable crowd. The first half played out with Gretna having the majority of the pressure, although the home side still managed to carve out a couple of chances of their own. Prolific goal scorer Sean McKenzie in his usual trademark manner hit the Mids with two opportunistic strikes to send Gretna in two up at half time. McKenzie carried on where he left off in the first half, at the start off the second, when he completed his hat trick with a solo effort to put Gretna three up . At this point it looked like a forlorn task for the Lockerbie side, that is, before their own hat trick hero arrived in the shape of the tireless Robbie Carc. He hit three cracking goals in a 30 minute spell and ,who along with his gutsy team mates, rocked Gretna back on their heels and set up a grandstand finish. Unfortunately, despite a terrific effort, the MIDS fell just short, as their second half endeavours took their toll, and they tired in the last five mins to allow Gretna to edge in front with two late goals and take the tie. Mids would like to wish Gretna all the best in the later stages of the competition and for the rest of the season.