Dalbeattie Star v Threave Rovers

 
MORE TROPHY SUCCESS FOR STAR
Dalbeattie Star lifted their third piece of silverware this season after a tough battle against Threave Rovers that needed extra time to split the teams. This Tweedie Cup final had already been switched from St Mary’s Park to Islecroft during the week, but the torrential rain on the morning of the match resulted in a second change of venue and it was off to Galabank at Annan where the monsoon conditions had little effect on the 3G pitch. Threave went in to the match knowing this was their last chance of winning a trophy this season whilst Star were desperate to add to their impressive roll of honour over the last year or so. There may have been a lot of tired limbs out on the pitch after a tough season for everyone but both sides would give everything to ensure victory.
Star started well enjoying good possession and quickly got used to the artificial surface and in the 2nd minute a slip by Darren Kerr set up a chance for Scott Milligan but his shot was well saved by the feet of Vinnie Parker. The champions pressed Threave back in this early spell but were caught by a sucker punch when Phil Middlemiss made a fine break down the right and his crossfield pass found Sam Warren in splendid isolation and he had time to take a touch and drill a low shot past Ally Cathro and in to the corner of the net. This was a vital breakthrough for Threave as in the last final between the two sides it was Star who scored first forcing Threave to chase the game and allowed Star to pick them off on the break. Warren’s goal this time though allowed the Meadow Park side to sit deeper and gave them something to defend.
With both sides playing five in midfield this area was needless to say very crowded and time and again Star would run out of space when trying to pass their way through. Liam Patterson was back in the Threave defence after a nasty eye injury and his presence there made them a much more solid outfit with fellow centre back Kerr having his best game against Star for some time. There were a couple of half chances when Hugh Cameron got on the end of Scott Milligan crosses but both times they just missed the target. The best move of the half ended with Lewis Sloan back heeling the ball to Milligan but his crisp shot went past the far post by inches.
At half time manager John MacBeth decided to change things and brought on Grant Parker for Gary Kerr which gave Milligan the chance to play off someone. Within three minutes Star was back on level terms when Sloan’s free kick found Parker on his own at the back post but his header was blocked and led to a scramble that ended with Vinnie Parker producing a good save from his own defender. Fortunately for the Star he was unable to hold on to the ball and it fell perfectly for Milligan who controlled the ball before firing it home. After scoring 67 goals last season this was "only" his 50th this term, another remarkable record. Star had their tails up now and MacBeth and Cameron both went close before the best chance of the half fell to Grant Parker when he wrong footed Patterson on the edge of the box and shot past namesake Vinnie but unbelievably Grant Watson somehow got back to clear off the line. Despite having the better of the match territorially Star had to be careful when Threave hit on the break. With the match heading towards extra time Star had a great chance to win it in the last minute when Sloan’s shot from 6 yards was charged down by two defenders but the ball landed at the feet of Milligan who seemed certain to score only for Colin Kay to get a last ditch deflection to send the ball wide.
And so to the inevitable extra 30 minutes and there was always the worry that this would be the day the gruelling schedule the Star has had to endure would eventually catch up on them. But no, this Star side just keep going and continued to push forward. With 2 minutes of the first period of extra time left Star at last got their noses in front. Patterson saw his clearance get blocked and arrive at the feet of Milligan who quickly turned and put Cameron through. The question on everyone’s lips was could Scooby do it and the answer was an emphatic yes as he wasted no time in shooting past Parker. With both sides beginning to tire this lead was crucial but you always felt Threave would have one more chance. That chance duly arrived two minutes from the end when James Baty, whose driving runs had been a problem particularly in the first 45 minutes, shot past Cathro but saw his effort hit the inside of the post, deflect of Lee Wells but was cleared off the line by Ritchie Maxwell.
At the final whistle Rab Harkness, deputising for the unwell Stuart MacPherson, collected the trophy on behalf of his players and a night of celebration began. There are two league matches to come before the season draws to an end back at Galabank, when Star look to make it four trophies won this season as they face Nithsdale Wanderers in the Challenge Cup final. Despite all their success in the last year this is still a very hungry team, and it’s that hunger that continues to drive them on and long may it continue.
THREAVE ROVERS 1         DALBEATTIE STAR 2    (aet)Warren (8)                      Milligan (48)                                       Cameron (103)THREAVE ROVERS: V Parker, Wilby, Kerr, Watson, Patterson, Kay, Thom (Fingland 110), Baty, Milligan (R Parker 62), Middlemiss, Warren (Swan 87)Yellow Cards: Kerr, Warren, Wilby, V ParkerDALBEATTIE STAR: Cathro, MacBeth, Wilson, Wells, R Maxwell, Fergusson (McMurdo 113), Cameron, Harkness (capt), Kerr (G Parker 46), Milligan, Sloan (Middlemiss 120)Subs not used: MuirheadYellow Cards: Fergusson, Cathro, Wells Ref: G IrvineAssistants: B Dewar-Riddick & B Park