Duo depart Galabank

TWO Annan Athletic players have left the League Two outfit this week. The Galabankies announced that goalkeeper Zach Balfour and forward Gravine Kalala have both departed by “mutual agreement”. The duo had limited playing time recently and the club stated the decision was made with the “best interests of both players and the club in mind”. The departure of Balfour and Kalala means the club can “focus on strengthening their squad” for the remainder of the campaign. [caption id="attachment_65716" align="alignnone" width="680"]

DEPARTURE . . . Zach Balfour[/caption] Manager Wullie Gibson said: “I was honest with Gravine and Zach in terms of game time and we agreed that it was best for both of them to move on. Both boys move on with everyone’s best wishes. “We are actively looking for new additions that will strengthen the squad and hopefully that will be soon.” Balfour arrived during the summer after a failed trial spell with Dumfries and Galloway rivals Queen of the South. He was initially made no1 by Gibson and maintained his spot until September. His last league start for the club was the 6-0 hammering loss to Clyde at Galabank. Balfour then lost his place to Geo Clarke and never managed to regain his spot back. Balfour did play in Annan’s Challenge Cup loss to Stenhousemuir.

Meanwhile, Kalala joined the Black and Golds at the back end of August. The 19-year-old had already gained experience with Hamilton and East Fife. [caption id="attachment_65717" align="alignnone" width="680"]

LEFT . . . Gravine Kalala[/caption] But Kalala failed to break into the starting line-up and found himself coming off the bench on several occasions. In-form Annan host Elgin City this weekend at Galabank with a 3 pm kick off.