Dalbeattie Star v Heston Rovers

STAR BACK IN THE GROOVE
In their first league match in what seems like an age, Dalbeattie Star slipped effortlessly back to winning ways with a comprehensive win. If you were to return to action after an idle spell then one of the last places you would choose to play would be Maryfield to face Heston Rovers, who are one of the best footballing sides in the league. There were understandably a few signs of rustiness from the champions, but overall it was a thoroughly professional performance which produced a first class result.
The Maryfield pitch has had well publicised problems all season but after the recent dry spell it was in decent condition though somewhat bumpy, which wasn’t helped by a wind which blew straight down the park. Despite the tricky underfoot conditions the home side was determined to play from the back and after a few minutes the Star counteracted this by pressing high up the park and putting pressure on Heston as soon as they had possession. The first effort of the match came in the opening minute but Learmont’s well struck drive from the edge of the box was straight at Graham Wright. With the hard underfoot conditions it was certainly not a day to be giving your goalkeeper too many back passes and in the 3rd minute Heston almost paid a heavy price when McCulloch’s mishit clearance landed at the feet of Lewis Sloan some 25 yards out but his lob sailed over the bar.
After an even start the Star was gifted the chance to open the scoring in the 10th minute but credit must go to striker Graeme Bell. He chased a lost cause as he put pressure on McCulloch and Magee which resulted in a mix up between Heston players and the keeper eventually brought down the Star striker for a definite penalty. Scott Milligan stepped up and fired his spot kick firmly past the keeper. This early goal was just the start the Star wanted and it was no real surprise when they doubled the lead in the 25th minute. Brilliant link up play down the left between John MacBeth and Sloan cut open the Dumfries defence, and when faced with the keeper Sloan selflessly squared the ball to Bell and players of his calibre do not miss chances like that and it was 2-0.
Star could now sense the chance of a quick kill and within minutes Bell again went close and seconds later his cross provided a chance for Gary Kerr but his back post effort was blocked by a last ditch tackle. However 4 minutes from the interval the third goal duly arrived when Sloan saw his shot from 10 yards come back off the post but the ball eventually came to Gary Kerr and he volleyed home from close range. An almost perfect half for the Star ended under a cloud when Graeme Bell received a bad injury which resulted in him spending the half time interval in agony on the pitch awaiting an ambulance. The paramedics were soon on the scene and unfortunately it has now been confirmed that Graeme has broken his leg and it goes without saying we all wish Graeme a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him in a Star jersey as soon as possible.
After the harrowing end to the first period coupled with a lengthy period of inactivity in the past month or so, it was perhaps understandable the Star started the second half slowly. In fact it required Heston to score a goal to waken the Star from their slumber. Shortly after the hour Walker’s cross from the right landed right on the head of the unmarked Boyd and he gave Wright no chance with a tidy header. Any thoughts of a comeback though were soon extinguished as Star stepped up a gear and Kerr was inches away from turning in substitutes Hugh Cameron’s cross. From the resultant corner Sloan’s cross was bulleted home by a stunning header from Cameron and the three goal advantage was restored. Playing with the wind in the second half did not suit the Star as the ball spent a lot of time running through to the keeper but with a healthy lead it wasn’t a major problem.
With 15 minutes left the visitors had what looked like a good shout for a penalty when Sloan was brought down by Magee but the referee waved the appeals away. The last goal came in the last minute and again Sloan was the architect when he cut the ball back from the right straight to substitute Grant Middlemiss and though McCulloch made a good stop from his initial effort the striker was quickest to react and he fired home the rebound from 6 yards.
All in all it was a fine days work for the champions and that is one of the most difficult league matches safely negotiated. As we now enter the madness that is the end of the South of Scotland season it is imperative the Star continue their winning ways as we now face three or even four matches a week from now until the end of May.     
HESTON ROVERS 1 DALBEATTIE STAR 5 Boyd (63)               Milligan (10pen)                             Bell (25)                             Kerr (41)                             Cameron (71)                             Middlemiss (89)
HESTON ROVERS: McCulloch, Gray, Magee, Smith (Adamson 76), Phillips, Learmont (Brown 63), Kevan (Queen 80), Tweedie, Walker, Boyd, Spence Subs not used: Jardine, Cobban Yellow cards: McCulloch, Magee, Smith DALBEATTIE STAR: Wright, Maxwell, MacBeth, Wells, MacPherson, Fergusson, Kerr, Harkness (McMurdo 80), Bell (Cameron 46), Milligan (Middlemiss 71), Sloan Subs not used: Dingwall, Muirhead Yellow Cards: None
Ref M McDermid Assistants: D McGuffie & R Williamson