CHRISTIE GILLIES HOODOO STRIKES AGAIN

Since Civil Service Strollers joined the Lowland League in 2016 Star has lost in every visit to the Strollers home ground of Christie Gillies Park. That run now stands at four matches after a fairly routine win for the home side.
The best laid plans need a good solid foundation which means avoiding the concession of an early goal, and Star’s game plan took a huge hit as they fell behind with just over three minutes played. Unfortunately the damage was a bit self inflicted as Star gave away cheap possession in their own final third and a 25 yard shot from Ryan Shanley was spilled by Vinnie Parker in the Star goal and there was Alieau Faye in the right place to fire home the rebound. Despite the horrendous start the visitors recovered well and neither side really threatened the opposing keeper. In fact before Civil scored Declan Tremble forced home keeper Josh Donaldson in to a good save. With half time approaching Star conceded another soft goal when Parker skied his clearance and the ball eventually fell to Shanley and he made no mistake from inside the box.
The next goal was going to be crucial and soon after the re-start Calvin Cowie’s shot was deflected over the bar and just before the hour Andrew Mair was denied by an excellent save from the Star captain Vinnie Parker. As the match entered its final quarter Star shot themselves in the foot again when they were reduced to ten men. They were awarded a free kick by the referee but full back Liam Park was booked for dissent and before the kick was taken he must have spoken out of order again and was shown a straight red card by the referee. With just 12 minutes left the home side made the points safe with a third as Shanley gave Parker no chance whatsoever with a fierce drive that flew high into the net.
So another disappointing trip to the capital for Star but thankfully none of the teams below us in the league collected any points either. Next week we are on South Challenge Cup duty as we travel to Lockerbie to face Mid Annandale.
CIVIL SERVICE STROLLERS 3 DALBEATTIE STAR 0
Faye (4)
Shanley (42, 78) HT 2-0
CIVIL SERVICE STROLLERS: Donaldson, Newall (Irving 49), Yeats, McConnell, Faye, Cunningham, Dunn (Rove 72), Clapperton, Shanley, Downie Hodge 76), Mair,
Subs not used: Guthrie, Muirhead, Rankin
Yellow Cards: McConnell, Clapperton, Dunn, Yeats, Shanley
DALBEATTIE STAR: Parker, Park, Thorburn (Green 75), Wells, R Thomson, Gordon, Graham, Cowie, Tremble, (Kerr 62), Sloan, O’Sullivan (Middlemiss 51)
Subs not used: Williams,
Yellow Cards: R Thomson, Cowie, Park
Red Card: Park (65)