Dalbeattie Star v Threave Rovers

STAR WIN SEVEN GOAL THRILLER 
Dalbeattie Star and Threave Rovers served up a footballing feast for the fans who turned up at Islecroft on Wednesday night and it was the home side who walked away with a deserved three points even though they were hanging on by the skin of their teeth come the final whistle
Star put in one of the best performances seen by a Dalbeattie side  for some time, with every player in a red and black jersey putting in a fine display, and manager Paul Laurie was naturally well pleased with the performance and result, and just minutes after the final whistle he spoke to the website . “I am obviously delighted. After the draw with Crichton we stressed the importance of positive thinking to the players and how we needed to go on a winning run and they have responded brilliantly. Tonight’s win gives us a great platform to build on. In the past we have been guilty of letting other teams play but not tonight. We got off to a brilliant start, 3-0 up inside 25 minutes but then Threave pulled one back before the break. We asked the players for a positive start to the second half and we got a great response from them going 4-1 up and then creating a few good chances. However Threave are a good team and they came back at us playing very directly and at the end we were hanging on in there. We have a good bunch of lads here and it is vitally important we stay composed now. We have a huge month ahead of us in September which includes the Scottish Cup so we have a lot to look forward to.”
On a glorious evening Star knew a victory would close the gap at the top of the league to just two points with a game in hand and after a fairly quiet start they took the lead with the first real chance of the match. In the 9th minute Hugh Cameron made a great run down the right and teed up Scott Milligan who dispatched the ball past Parker in the visitors goal from 12 yards. Just two minutes later and Star were 2-0 up when John MacBeth scored at the second attempt  from inside the 6 yard box after the keeper could only parry his first effort. In the 24th minute it was 3-0 as Milligan netted his second, again from a rebound after an excellent cross from substitute Alex Maxwell. By now the Star forward line was giving the Threave defence a torrid time. Cameron was giving former Star defender Kerr a roasting, going past him at will, substitute Alex Maxwell, who replaced the injured Jak Dingwall in the 11th minute, was virtually unplayable and Scott Milligan was just Scott Milligan - every time he received the ball near the goal he looked like scoring. However Threave are not defending Champions for nothing and in the 28th minute following a good cross from the left  Struthers scored with an easy header from inside the 6 yard box to reduce the deficit back to two. This certainly rattled the Star but they were able to regain their composure and at the interval they led 3-1.
Both sides came out for the second half with all guns blazing. In the 47th minute Warren missed a great chance for Threave  when he volleyed over  and two minutes later Star restored their three goal advantage. Another great run and cross from Maxwell found Milligan at the back post and he headed home for his hat trick. Threave almost responded immediately but Wright saved well from Wilby’s free kick. Milligan and Gary Kerr both missed good chances for the home side as they looked like scoring with every attack. Threave’s response to this was to bring on Paterson in central defence as he had been sorely missed. In the 62nd minute Threave threw themselves a lifeline when the Star defence failed to clear a corner and Donley shot home from 6 yards. With 20 minutes left the Castle Douglas side were incredibly  right back in it when they caught the Star on the break and Dunglinson bundled the ball in at the back post to make it 4-3.
By now the nerves of the home fans were in shreds as Threave threw everything at the Star goal. In the 89th minute substitute Cook hit the bar for the visitors and 3 minutes in to stoppage time Star should have sealed the victory when Milligan’s scooped shot over the keeper was cleared off the line. There was one last piece of action when an almighty scramble in the Star 6 yard box saw the ball cleared off the line three times with Threave appealing that the ball had crossed the line. Immediately after  the referee blew the full time whistle to the mighty relief of the home fans to end a match that will be remembered for some time to come.  
Dalbeattie Star 4               Threave Rovers 3Milligan (9, 24, 49)             Struthers (28)MacBeth (11)                     Donley (62)                                          Dunglinson (70)
DALBEATTIE STAR: Wright, Wilson, Robinson, R Maxwell, S MacPherson, Fergusson (capt), Cameron (Wells 90+2), Kerr (S Parker 75), Dingwall (A Maxwell 11), Milligan, MacBethSubs not  used: Little, KennedyTHREAVE ROVERS: Parker, Wilby, Kerr (Cook 80), Green (Paterson 55), Bell, Struthers, Baty, Dunglinson, Donley, Milligan (G Middlemiss 55), Warren (Capt)Subs not used: P Middlemiss, FinglandRef: B TempletonAssistants: D McGuffie & L Wilson