Dalbeattie Star v Nithsdale Wanderers

 FIVE STAR NEGRI IN SEVEN GOAL ROMP
Dalbeattie Star marched on to the second round of the Tweedie Cup after a seven goal demolition of Nithsdale Wanderers with striker Grant Parker netting five.  It was a terrific performance from the side and if truth be told it should probably have been double figures. Manager Paul Laurie made four changes, some enforced, to the starting line-up  that won last time out away to Abbey Vale. Included in the side was new signing Lewis Sloan who made his return to the Star with a display he could be well pleased with.
The Star began the match immediately on the front foot and pushed forward at every opportunity but it took 10 minutes before the first clear chance was created. A Curtis Wilson cross from the right found Alex Maxwell in the area but he somehow volleyed wide. Eight minutes later though the deadlock was broken when Grant Parker latched on to a Maxwell flick on, rounded the keeper and scored. The pressure on the visiting defence was relentless and in the 28th minute Parker doubled the advantage with a fine right strike giving Dalziel no chance in the Nithsdale goal. Three minutes later and it was 3-0 when Maxwell scored from a similar position to Negri’s second goal. Further chances were created but unfortunately missed leading up to the interval, and incredibly Fleming volleyed home for Nithsdale with virtually the last kick of the half with one of their few efforts on goal, to give them a lifeline. It had been a fine first half for the Star but how they in at half time leading by just two goals beggared belief.
Any chance of a second half comeback by the visitors was  extinguished early on as Parker completed his hat-trick within a minute of the re-start after good lead up play from Rab Harkness and Gary Kerr.  Seven minutes later Gary Kerr changed from provider to scorer, when he fired high in to the net with an excellent left foot finish for his sixth goal of the season, to make it 5-1. The Star were in full flow now and continued to push on at every opportunity with Parker and Kerr both going close. It was only a matter of time before number six was scored and it duly arrived in the 68th minute when Hugh Cameron’s shot was well saved by Dalziel but it fell nicely to Parker who made it 6-1. The scoring eventually ended with 18 minutes still remaining when substitute Jak Dingwall unselfishly squared the ball when clean through on the keeper, to give Grant Parker his fifth and Star’s seventh goal, against a team currently lying fourth in the league.
It sealed an incredible afternoon for the striker, and though it is difficult to criticise somehow who scores five goals in one match,  I am sure he would be the first to admit he should have scored a few more.  Whilst Negri, quite rightly, will take all the plaudits for his performance, there were a number of first class displays on show. The back four as a unit was very solid and they totally snuffed out the Nithsdale attack, which included ex Star forward Roman Soltys, and this resulted in Graham Wright having a very quiet 90 minutes in goal. The midfield was outstanding as they dominated throughout and kept the game going at a quick tempo which suited the Star to a tee. The trio of Kerr, Harkness and Sloan was a throwback to the East of Scotland days and they all seemed to revel in each others company. Despite being substituted late on for his own protection, Sloany had a good first match back with the Rossineri , with some of his cross field passes in particular being from the top drawer. Up front Alex Maxwell  was his usual handful and fully deserved his goal and five goal hero Grant Parker had an afternoon that you can normally just dream about.
Next week Star face Nithsdale again, this time in the league and in Sanquhar. After the beating they took this afternoon they will be a very dangerous animal, so the Star will be looking for another performance like todays. Finally a mention must go to Frankie Styles and the groundstaff who put in a tremendous amount of work to get the pitch playable. Considering the rain and storms that have battered the country recently, they deserve a lot of credit for getting the game on.
 
DALBEATTIE STAR 7                      NITHSDALE WANDERERS 1 G Parker (18,28,46,68,72)             Fleming (45) A Maxwell (31) Kerr (53) DALBEATTIE STAR: Wright, Wilson, Robinson, R Maxwell, West (Wells 65), Kerr, Cameron, Sloan (Cathro 72), A Maxwell (Dingwall 65), Harkness (capt), G Parker Subs not used: None Yellow Cards: None NITHSDALE WANDERERS: Dalziel, Simpson (Jamieson 62), Houston (Bell 85), Murray, Kennedy, Livingston (capt), Fleming, Turnbull, Lang, McHagh, Soltys Subs not used: Weir, Milligan Yellow cards: Murray, Lang, Fleming, Kennedy Ref C Walker Assistants R Williamson & L Wilson