A SHOT at silverware lies on the horizon for Gretna FC 2008 after they put Stranraer Reserves to the sword at Raydale Park in the SCFA Challenge Cup semi final on Saturday.
Vinnie Parker’s Anvils beat a youthful Stranraer Reserves side 10-2 to progress to the final of the competition.
Iain Anderson scored a hat-trick, while Andy Oram and Liam Short both got braces, and Lewis Bell, Liam Lamonby and Jordan Holt got a goal each.
A delighted Parker said: “It was an outstanding performance. The performance probably merited the scoreline, we were ruthless.
“The way we started the game, in the first 20 minutes, blew them away. We never let them get a foothold in the game and were really dominant.
“It was exactly what we needed in a tie like this against against a really good, young Stranraer outfit.
“If we look back to the last round when we played Uppers we scored a goal then took our foot off it.
“Today we were absolutely ruthless. We pressed them really high up the park with three up front.
“Everybody’s chipped in. It’s pleasing to see us create good chances and put them away.”
Gretna will find out who their final opponents will be on Saturday afternoon pending the result of Caledonian Braves vs Newton Stewart.
Regardless of the result, Parker knows both teams will present a difficult game.
He said: “I think the two games we’ve played against Caley Braves, we’ve been extremely unlucky not to win them.
“I’d like them in the final to be honest. But they’ve got to get by Newton Stewart first – and they’re a really good side.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
A break of at least two weeks means the team will need to keep themselves fit, however.
Parker said: “We can’t sit and get stale over the next month. Everybody will have to take a wee bit of responsibility away from here by looking after themselves properly.”
Elsewhere, Gretna U20s team travelled to Sanquhar to play Nithsdale Wanderers in the semi final of the Potts Cup.
The Sanquhar side ran out 4-3 winners but the young Black and Whites did themselves proud.
