Dalbeattie Star made it safely through to the semi final of the Tweedie Cup but they were made to work hard for it by a battling Abbey Vale side. Maryfield Park is not the easiest of grounds to get a result at so the Islecroft side will be delighted to have their name in the semi final draw helped by some outstanding goals.
The home side kicked downhill in the first half with what wind there was in their back and the began the match well forcing Star onto the back foot for the first 15 minutes or so. The closest Vale came to scoring during that spell was in the 6th minute when the ever dangerous Dylan Bruce saw his fine volley turned out for a corner by an equally good full length save from Star stopper Jake Gemmell. Star slowly began to get a foothold in the match and their first threat came in the 17th minute when Dan Carmichael set up Declan Rogerson but from a tight angle former Star keeper Ross Wilson got down well to block. There was little between the two sides when Star eventually opened the scoring in the 26th minute and what a superb goal it was. There appeared little danger when Dale Milligan collected the ball in midfield and went on one of his mazy runs. He twice managed to ride strong challenges so full marks to Dale for not going down and also to the referee for playing the advantage when he could easily have blown for a free kick. Dale strode on towards goal and from more than 25 yards smashed an unstoppable effort that flew high past Wilson giving the goalie no chance at all. This settled the visitors and they began to exert some control on the ball but the home side were always a danger with Dylan Bruce looking the biggest threat. Three minutes from the break Vale equalised when a cross from the right was met by Robbie Simpson diving full length to beat Gemmell with an excellent header that flew into the bottom corner of the net. However with almost the last kick of the half Star restored their lead with another brilliant goal. A corner was only cleared to the edge of the home penalty area and for Vale it couldn't have fallen to a worse player as it landed beautifully for Connor Potts who thumped his right foot shot high past Wilson for another spectacular strike. Connor is now compiling quite an impressive portfolio of outstanding goals and long may this continue.
Star came out for the second period boosted by Potts's strike and they had the home side pinned in their own half searching for a third. A great move move involving Luke McMurtrie, Connor Potts and Dale Milligan set up a fine chance for Declan Rogerson but his first time right foot shot flew over the bar. The third goal duly arrived just before the hour when Milligan cut in from the left and let fly with a well struck shot that again flew high past Wilson but this time with the aid of a slight deflection off the back of a defender. Dale's shot certainly looked on target so he will certainly get the credit for it. Star continued to dominate but the home side were always a threat and the closest they came to pulling one back was when substitute Max Hughes saw his shot come off Gemmell's right hand post and when the rebound came back to him, his second shot was well saved by the Star goalie. Potts had a great chance to score his second when Wilson saved well from Rogerson and the rebound fell to Potts inside the penalty area but his shot was cleared by a despairing defender. The fourth goal did arrive seven minutes from time when Potts crossed from the left and found Cammy Bryson on his own, six yard from goal and his header gave Wilson no chance.
So Star go through along with Stranraer (who beat Creetown), Wigtown & Bladnoch (who beat Caledonian Braves) and Lochar Thistle (who beat Upper Annandale). Next up is our last match of 2024 when we travel to Stranraer in a crucial league match. The Wigtownshire side won the corresponding fixture at Islecroft earlier in the season so we will need to be at our best to bring the three points home.
ABBEY VALE 1 DALBEATTIE STAR 4
Simpson (42) Milligan (26, 58)
Potts (45)
Bryson (83)
HT 1-2 Att 66
ABBEY VALE: Wilson, Neves, Glen, Notman (Roper 82), Kirk, Corbett, Grzebieniak (Hodgins 60), Jess (Brown 87), Simpson (M Hughes 60), B Bruce (Potts 60), D Bruce
Subs not used: S Hughes
Yellow Cards:
DALBEATTIE STAR: Gemmell, McMurtrie, Jamieson, Williamson, Bryson, E Gourlay, Carmichael, Higgins, D Rogerson (Meechan 71), Milligan (Shaw 68), Potts
Subs not used: Green
Yellow Cards: Bryson, Higgins
Ref: J Brown