UNBEATEN STAR END ON A HIGH
Dalbeattie Star ended the league season with a fine win over Newton Stewart which ensured they would end the campaign unbeaten for the first time since 1986. The result capped a memorable league season for the club and credit must go to the management team of Paul Laurie, Keith Dingwall and Jimmy Hannay and each and every one of the players who have made this such a great season for the Star supporters. After watching his team collect their medals and trophy from the last Star manager to lead his team to league success, Dick Shaw, current boss Paul Laurie was naturally a happy man.
“I am absolutely delighted, I can’t stop smiling. We have finished the league season on a high but we’re not finished yet. I have just thanked the players for all they have given us this season but I would also like to thank the committee and fans as well. It has just been perfect and I don’t know what else to say.” He may have ended the night speechless but no doubt come Wednesday nights final against Queen of the South he will be back in full voice.
After clinching the league title against Threave Rovers on Saturday, tonight was all about celebrating the league success and the trophy presentation, but at the same time ensuring the occasion wasn’t ruined by a below par performance or result. Star started tonights match poorly as if most of the team were still suffering from Saturday nights celebrations and they could easily have been behind before they took the lead in the 26th minute. Stuart Robinson went on one of his trademark runs which was ended when fell over the challenge from Blain and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Up stepped Scott Milligan who did his usual immaculate job from 12 yards. Eight minutes from the interval it was 2-0 when Curtiss Wilson, Craig Fergusson and Grant Parker combined to set up Lewis Sloan who finished with aplomb.
If the first half had been a bit iffy at times for the Champions, they had certainly woken up by the second period and they turned on a bit of style for the fans. Some of the passing and movement was a joy with every player desperate to get on the ball and play. In the 68th minute Star scored number three when a slack pass from the Newton defence was collected by Parker, who fed Milligan. The striker set up Sloan who stepped inside the full back and scored high past Fidler in the away goal. Six minutes later it was 4-0 when Parker scored the goal of the night. Up until then Negri seemed determined not to score as much simpler chances went a begging, but when Sloan and Milligan were involved in a brilliant move with the striker, he finished it off with a superb curling shot in to the top corner. The scoring ended in the 77th minute when full back Wilson fired home from a narrow angle much to the delight of his team mates.
The remainder of the match was all about trying to get the other full back Stuart Robinson, his first goal of the season. Time and again Geordie would bomb forward but the ball would just not fall for him until a free kick was awarded on the edge of the box with 3 minutes left. The stage was set for Geordie to wrap up the perfect ending to the match and league season by blasting an unstoppable shot in to the net but we all woke up from the dream as he dribbled his shot tamely wide.
And so the league season of 2011/12 has ended and will go down in the history books as a great one. Now all that is needed is for the Challenge Cup and The Haig Gordon to join the League Cup and the Potts Cup in the bulging Islecroft trophy cabinet.
DALBEATTIE STAR 5         NEWTON STEWART 0     Milligan (26pen) Sloan (37,68) G Parker (74) Wilson (77)
DALBEATTIE STAR: Wright, Wilson, Robinson, R Maxwell, MacPherson (Wells 68), Fergusson, Cameron, Harkness (capt) (G Kerr 46),  G Parker, Milligan (Dingwall 77), Sloan Subs not used: S Parker, Cathro Yellow Cards: None NEWTON STEWART:  Fidler, Henry (Fisher 85), Hill, Hyslop, Gallacher, McKie, Blain (Beggs 68), Fyffe, McEwan (Clark 58), Dunn, Morrison Yellow Cards: Fisher, Blain
Ref:  L Wilson