Dalbeattie Star made it a famous five wins in a row to keep not only the only 100% record in the league intact, but also now the only unbeaten run alive. This display make have lacked some of the fluency of the Cumbernauld match three days previously but it was still a well deserved victory against a stubborn and well organised opponent.
Such was the level of performance of the Cumbernauld game, the worry was there may have been some sort of reaction from the players but they came out with the right attitude to ensure there would be no such slip ups. Keeper Darren Martin returned between the sticks with the only other change coming at left back with Liam Park being unavailable, so in stepped Lewis Dunn. Straight from the kick off the home side went on the front foot as Lewis Todd fired wide inside ten seconds after a mistake in the Uni defence. From the goal kick the visitors again lost possession under pressure and for the second time in less than a minute Todd fired off target from the edge of the box.
It was one way traffic and therefore no surprise when the league leaders opened the scoring in the 8th minute. Dan Orsi was needlessly fouled by Alex Hamilton wide on the right and Lewis Sloan whipped in a wicked near post cross that was bundled into the net. There was some doubt whether it was Russell Currie or Jack Dickinson that got the final touch but the big centre half said later that it was Russell's goal so we will go with that. It was the ideal start for the home side and they looked to build on that immediately but four minutes later the students silenced the Islecroft crowd with a goal from nowhere. Keeper Connor Barnes launched the ball from his goal area that bounced kindly for striker Ben Spelman and he beat Martin with a neat lob to make it 1-1.
This was certainly not in the script for the home side but they soon regained their composure to pin the Edinburgh side back inside their own half. In the 20th minute a superb pass from Sloan picked out Orsi's excellent run but keeper Barnes kept his side level with a fine save. Two minutes later a long throw was headed clear to the edge of the box and Sloan's volley was inches off target. It was to be Sloan's last involvement as he picked up a thigh strain soon after and was replaced by Dylan Cairnie. Just when it seemed the Uni would hold out until the break Star went back into the lead with another special strike from Currie and this time there was no doubt who netted it. He collected the ball more than 30 yards from goal, strode forward and switched the ball onto his right foot before curling a beauty past Barnes from outside of the box. It was another quality strike from the big striker and was just what the home punters had come to see.
Star began the second half as if they were looking too kill off the match as soon as possible. We all know a one goal lead can be precarious so they stepped up the pace straight from the off. Lee Wells obviously enjoyed his goal against Cumbernauld and only a tremendous save from Barnes stopped the skipper from scoring two in two with a screamer of a right foot shot. Minutes later a fine move put Calvin Cowie through but Barnes was quick off his line and again saved well. There was no sign of panic from the Star but a third goal would certainly settle a few nerves among the home support. That became even more apparent when in the 69th minute Spelman had a glorious chance to level for a second time. Again the assist would have come from his own keeper as Star failed to clear a long clearance and as the forward rounded Martin, Wells came to the rescue just when the Uni seemed certain to score. The big striker certainly revelled in his role as pantomime villain as he enjoyed plenty of banter with the home fans throughout the whole match.
This was perhaps the jolt Star needed and in the 76th minute the third goal arrived. This season Star has become quite a force to be reckoned with when it comes to dead ball plays some excellent deliveries from a number of different sources. This time it was substitute Dean Brothertson's turn as he swung in a perfect back post corner that was met by a powerful header from Scott Phillips from six yards who scored his first goal in the red and black. Three minutes from time number four looked a certainty when Brotherston fired the ball across the six yard line but defender Ross McGuire produced a fine goal saving clearance. In the final minute Martin pulled off his best save of the match when he saved well from David Maskrey's 20 yard drive.
So another highly satisfactory afternoon for Ritchie Maxwell and his boys. Pre match most people would have looked at the league table and thought this would be a straightforward afternoon for the Star, but nobody involved with the club held that opinion. You have to earn every point you get in this league and the reason Star sit top is they have played better than their opposition in all five matches.
Five games in fifteen days is a harsh way to start any season so like everyone else Star will look forward to a free midweek to rest some weary limbs. Next up is a trip to Berwick for what will be another tough match. Before this weekend they had the only other unbeaten run in the league so they will be desperate to get back to winning ways especially at the expense of the league leaders.
DALBEATTIE STAR 3 EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY 1
Currie (8, 43) Spelman (12)
Phillips (76) HT 2-1
DALBEATTIE STAR: Martin, Phillips, Dunn, Todd (Degnan 75), Wells, Dickinson, Orsi (Brotherston 68), Graham , Currie, Sloan (Cairnie 28), Cowie
Subs not used: Gordon, Emmerson, Trialist
Yellow Cards: Orsi
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY: Barnes, Murray, Condie, Hamilton (McGuire 28), Black (Dick 63), Sinclair, Watson (Maurice 79), Kemp, Spelman, Lawson, Maskrey
Subs not used: Buxton
Yellow Cards: None