Dalbeattie Star v East Kilbride

SOLID STAR BACK TO WINNING WAYS
After a run of three league draws in a row it was vital Star got back to winning ways to take advantage of their games in hand over leaders Spartans who were on cup duty. They did just that with a more disciplined performance that may have lacked some of the flamboyant, free flowing football we have seen in recent weeks, but it also resulted in a much better defensive display throughout the team. In the end it is the result that matters on days like this and for that reason alone it was a good afternoons work.
Star lined up with just one change from last weeks starting XI with Craig Fergusson a direct replacement for the flu stricken Danny Dunglinson. For the majority of matches this season Star has conceded the first goal, sometimes early, very early, so today it made a great change for them to open the scoring. In just under two minutes they made a great break down the left and as the ball came in to the centre Stuart Robinson laid the ball off brilliantly to Scott Milligan who showed great composure as he calmly placed the ball past keeper Meldrum into the corner of the net.
It was the perfect start and the home side immediately set about looking for a second. In the 11th minute a fine move involving Lewis Sloan and Jack Steele resulted in Jamie Struthers heading narrowly wide at the far post. The visitors first effort of note came midway through the half with a shot from distance from McLaughlin that was dealt with ease by Darren Martin. They had a better chance five minutes later when Lee Wells was beaten by an awkward bouncing ball but recovered with a brilliant sliding tackle before Daw could get his shot in. Star then had a couple of good breaks down the right the best from Robinson but he elected to shot when there were a number of players available in the penalty box. For the most part the
The visitors suffered a couple of nasty injuries from totally innocuous challenges when Craig McLeish suffered a dislocated shoulder and Craig Duncan a dislocated knee cap. Thankfully the East Kilbride physio was able to pop both back in place though both players were in obvious distress. It was a first half that Star controlled to a degree but neither keeper it has to be said was overworked and as long as there remained just a one goal difference, then the match was still very much in the balance. For the most part play from both sides was a bit untidy and scrappy. Thankfully they came out with a bit more purpose in the second period and it was the home side who carried the greater scoring threat. Steele volleyed a Sloan corner that produced a fine save from Meldrum in 51 minutes and just before the hour a Sam Warren corner was flicked on by Wells that just evaded Steele at the back post.
Milligan was denied just after the hour as Meldrum made another fine save this time with his right foot as the match began to enter a nervous stage. The K Park side began to sense they might just take something from the match as they attacked with a bit more purpose. In matches like these the team trailing always seems to have one major chance and for East Kilbride it came 20 minutes from the end. Templeton’s free kick from the left was met by a glancing header from McAuliffe but the ball hit the outside of the post and went wide. With nine minutes left they were dealt a near fatal blow when Gallacher received a second yellow card for a crude challenge on Sloan wide on the touchline. Four minutes later the match was over when Meldrum punched clear Warren’s corner but it landed at the feet of Sloan who rifled the ball high into the net from just inside the box. With two minutes remaining Star had another chance to give the scoreline a more flattering look when they were awarded a penalty after Murdoch clearly pulled back Milligan just as he was about to pull the trigger. The East Kilbride man was then shown a straight red card to rub salt into his wounds. The normally reliable Sloan stepped up but saw his spot kick well saved by Meldrum low to his left.
In the end it was a good three points for the Star. Before the match all Star fans would have been happy with a dour win after all the excitement of the past few matches that unfortunately saw six points dropped. Whilst this match will probably not make the list of the most memorable of the season it will certainly be looked upon as big win nonetheless as it keeps the Star in touch with the top of the table as we enter the second half of the league season.We spoke to manager Paul McGinley after the game "It was controlled, professional, disciplined. It wasn’t the greatest game to watch, in fact if you’re asking me personally I thought it was an awful game to watch at times. We spoke about things and worked on things this week, which was to be a bit more solid and try and make sure we weren’t giving ourselves a mountain to climb up again and I think we did that really well. We sat in and contained them. Scoring early helped and it came through us being disciplined, being controlled and making sure we weren’t caught on the counter attack and it was a super goal. The clean sheet as well was something we’ve looked at - about approaching games this season because it is a year we can try things so today it was another different approach. It was controlled, the system was slightly different and it did work so it’s another string to our bow." 
Next week it’s back to cup action and another trip to Gretna this time in the SFA Regional Cup that has to be played to a finish. With the possibility of a large travelling support heading to the Border town it has the makings of a day to remember.  
DALBEATTIE STAR 2         EAST KILBRIDE 0Milligan (2)Sloan (85)                        Sloan missed pen (88)     DALBEATTIE STAR: Martin, Cameron (capt), Warren, Wells, Maxwell, Fergusson, Robinson, Steele, Milligan, Sloan, Struthers (Cook 78)Subs not used: Handling, MacPherson, Wilson, DrysdaleYellow Cards: SteeleEAST KILBRIDE: Meldrum, Templeton (capt), Duncan (Gillespie 34), McAuliffe, Wilson, Gallacher, McLaughlin, McLeish (Traynor 8), Murdoch, Daw, Fitzharris (Johnston 55)Subs not used: Tierney, HaddenYellow Cards: McLaughlin, Murdoch, Templeton, Gallacher, MeldrumRed Cards: Gallacher (81), Murdoch (88)Ref: L WilsonAssistants: R Williamson & M Temlett