Dalbeattie Star moved up to third in the South of Scotland league after coming out on top in a seven goal thriller at Blairmount Park. As in their previous match against Lochar Thistle, Star seemed to be cruising to victory only to concede twice late on resulting in a very nervy few minutes of stoppage time. However they survived this scare to collect three very important and thoroughly deserved points, which keeps them well placed in the league.
The first half in this match was a very cagey affair with very few chances for either side. The home side seemed content to sit back and deny Star space in which to play and this seemed to work to a degree but it meant dangerman Robert Middleton cut a lonely figure up front and was forced to feed off scraps and as a result Newton did not have a single shot at goal in that first period. The visitors on the other hand had the majority of the ball but struggled to create much. Dan Carmichael had the first effort of note in the 13th minute when he drilled a low shot that keeper Euan Drysdale did well to block with his left foot. Just after the half hour Dale Milligan created some space on the left, cut in on to his right foot but saw his shot superbly blocked by the sliding Zak Service. To sum up what kind of half it had been for the home support, the biggest roar from them in that half came after a Service sliding tackle on Connor Potts wide on the touchline. The deadlock was broken almost out of the blue when the home defence failed to clear a corner and as the ball bobbled about the penalty area it fell nicely for Cammy Bryson who stabbed the ball high past Drysdale from some 14 yards. The young centre back wheeled away in obvious delight having scored his first ever goal for the Star. The first half had been so tight you felt this breakthrough may well prove to be crucial but no one could have seen the transformation in the second period that would see an incredible six goals scored.
Boosted by this goal the Islecroft side began the second half well and two minutes after the re-start Milligan broke clear but Drysdale did well to block. Star looked dangerous at this moment but they needed a goal to give them some breathing space and this duly arrived in the 56th minute. It was the perfect team goal that began with keeper Jake Gemmell in his own penalty area. The ball was moved swiftly from defence through the midfield and eventually to Connor Potts on the right. Connor looked up and curled in the perfect ball into what is now known as the corridor of uncertainty and there was Ross Hunter doing what he does best sneaking in at the back post to fire a half volley high into the back of the net from 6 yards. Star looked in control now and were immediately looking to add to their tally but from nowhere the home side were right back in the match with their first effort on target. Star needlessly lost possession wide on the left which allowed Jack Marshall to swing in a cross. Middleton took a good touch but before he could have an effort on goal in stepped Jake Ellis to thrash the ball high past Gemmell giving the keeper no chance. This was a massive boost to the home side and it really brought the home fans back to life and they certainly turned up the volume. Star's reaction though to this set back was spot on and almost straight from the kick off they restored their two goal advantage with a goal of great beauty. There appeared to be little danger when the ball broke to Connor Potts at the corner of the penalty area and he took a touch before firing in a superb volley that dipped and swerved past Drysdale leaving the keeper absolutely helpless.
Star pushed forward even more and substitute Declan Rogerson was inches away from scoring a fourth with almost his first touch. As the home side pushed more men forward to try and claw their way back into the match, Star was finding more space in which to play and it was no surprise when Kyle Higgins added a fourth in the 72nd minute when he broke clear and slid the ball past Drysdale. It looked like game over and if any team was going to score more it certainly looked like being Star. But full marks to Newton who despite trailing by three, they stepped up the pressure and pressed the Star players even more. They were rewarded for this in the 82nd minute when Aaron Drysdale made it 4-2 with a fine curling effort from the edge of the box. This really got the home fans fired up and they knew another goal would make for a very interesting last few minutes or so. They launched ball after ball into the Star penalty area but the visitors appeared to be holding out until Jack Marshall nodded the ball home from a corner in the 90th minute. This led to an uncomfortable four minutes or so stoppage time which included a big shout for a penalty for handball, but it was more in desperation than hope and the referee rightly waved play on. When the final whistle did go it was heard by a relieved set of players and supporters from Dalbeattie.
So we keep up our 100% record away from home in the league at the home of one of our biggest rivals in the South. Next up is the League Cup final at Palmerston against Lochar Thistle in a repeat of last seasons final. That match was a bit of a classic even though the result did not go our way, so here's hoping it's another brilliant match but this time with a different outcome.

NEWTON STEWART 3 DALBEATTIE STAR 4
Ellis (65) Bryson (39)
A Drysdale (82) Hunter (56)
Marshall (90) Potts (66)
Higgins (72)
HT 0-1 Att 85
NEWTON STEWART: E Drysdale, Murray, Service, Anderson, R Thomson (Ellis 26), Whyte, Middleton, A Drysdale, McKeand (Hughan 77), Marshall, Deazeley (McCulloch 90+3)
Subs not used: Moffat, MacDonald, A Thomson, Thorburn
Yellow Cards: Murray, Ellis, Anderson
DALBEATTIE STAR: Gemmell, McMurtrie, Jamieson, Williamson, Bryson, D Taylor, Carmichael, Higgins, Hunter (Shaw 64), Milligan (Rogerson 68), Potts (Meechan 86)
Subs not used: E Gourlay, R Taylor, Green
Yellow Cards: Gemmell, Hunter
Ref: