THE fable of the house built on sand springs to mind whenever Gretna's crumbling fortunes are set in sharp relief beside the rocky seaside shores skirting the Caledonian Stadium.
Solidity and prudence have, by and large, characterised the Highland
er's ascent, a quest that took a little longer to realise than the Borderers' rise but looks likely to endure.
Few tears have been shed for Gretna following Brooks Mileson's costly desertion, but you had to pity the visitors after tales of an early rise and cold lasagna from a broken microwave on the bus north.
Excuses aside, though, Mick Wadsworth's bedraggled bunch – with futures elsewhere to play for – gave stern resistance before the break, but were thoroughly outclassed by the close.
The six goals from six different scorers brought Caley Thistle's record SPL victory with a clutch of outstanding performances from individuals like contract-chasing Barry Wilson and Don Cowie, with a ninth goal from midfield in his SPL debut season.
Wilson, in the process, became the joint second-highest scorer in the Highlanders' history after a fantastic second-half strike.
Gretna, perhaps dazed by the 280-mile trip north, looked in holiday mood as their bus rolled into the Caledonian Stadium.
The players were spotted snapping pictures by the shores of the Moray Firth and looked equally unfocused seconds into the game – 31 to be precise – when the opening blow arrived.
Ross Tokely sent Don Cowie clear on the right and the ex-Ross County midfielder swept a perfect low ball into the path of un-marked Doug Imrie, who shot calmly past Greg Fleming.
In the lull that followed, tempers flared when the home side's Rory McAllister and Gretna's Craig Barr went nose-to-nose. Both men went into the book.
McAllister was smiling soon after, though, as he marked only his second start of the season with Caley Thistle's second goal.
The 20-year-old bundled the ball past Fleming at close range after the keeper had expertly saved a Marius Niculae header.
Gretna clawed one back against the run of play after 26 minutes, as Brendan McGill's free-kick from the left found Steven Hogg poorly-marked to head past Zibi Malkowski.
Gretna did well for a spell and clung onto the single goal margin despite Niculae appealing loudly for a penalty after a nudge by Rostyn Griffiths.
Barry Wilson then lit up the second half after 51 minutes with a tremendous, unstoppable third. Taking McAllister's lay-off on the edge of the box, the veteran unleashed his low, swerving shot and saw it fly beyond the diving keeper.
Gretna's resistance was ebbing and Caley's fourth brought the best move of the game after 69 minutes. Substitute Graham Bayne slipped Imrie free before his chipped cross was caught sweetly on the half volley by Don Cowie from 12 yards.
Salt was rubbed in the away team's wounds with two more goals late in the game.
From Iain Vigurs' corner, Ross Tokely executed a near-post header in 88 minutes. And then came youngster Vigurs' superb angled, 12-yard volley.
The full article contains 549 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
