Recap

Match report

A second trip south this week for the Colts saw the team take on Gretna in a six-goal showdown to end all equal at Raydale Park.

Colts started brightly, creating the first clear opportunity in the 10th minute when a pass from Jude Freel across the face of goal was narrowly missed by Danny Hatfield. Two minutes later Gretna took advantage of the missed opportunity with Iain Anderson opening the scoring with a clean ball over the head of David Wilson to take the lead of the game.

Colts answered back in the 14th minute, with Jude Freel finding the back of the net through an excellent team effort to make it equal once more.

It did not take long, however, for the hosts to regain their advantage just six minutes later, as Iain Anderson grabbed his second of the match, bringing Gretna into the lead once more.

Colts were then awarded a penalty right on the cusp of half-time when Danny Hatfield was brought down inside the box. It was converted by Aiden McLaughlin to ensure both teams were even going into the break.

The second half started with a dangerous chance from the hosts, cleared off the line, and seemed to mimic the same end-to-end dynamic that had controlled the first 45.

The first round of substitutions came into play just before the hour mark with Olly McDonald replacing Harrison Howe. Gretna keeper Jim Atkinson was replaced by Archie Aitchison.

Gretna eventually found a third in the 63rd minute, with Iain Anderson completing his hat-trick to put the hosts back in front.

Colts looked for another response and came close in the 67th minute when the ball fell to Aiden McLaughlin inside the box, but his header went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.

Colts, still searching for an equaliser, looked to shake things up again in the 77th with a triple substitution that saw Caiden McMillan, Ji Stevenson and Lucas McCormick come on for Daniel Hatfield, Jude Freel and Jack Devlin.

Ultimately, regulation play gave way to an eventful five minutes of stoppage time, which saw David Wilson pick up a booking before Colts were awarded a second penalty in the dying minutes.

It was Aiden McLaughlin once more who stepped up to the spot and hammered home the shot to secure a last-minute point for Colts at Raydale Park.

Aiden McLaughlin picked up his first Man of the Match award of the season due to his efforts and two goal contributions.

Full-Time: Gretna 3–3 Cumbernauld Colts