It should not have been a huge surprise to anybody that a clash between two sides struggling at the wrong end of the table would be low in quality, but both sets of players gave their all and in the end Star would be the happier of the two sides to share the spoils. They trailed for the vast majority of the match and dug in deep to keep themselves in the match and in the end those battling qualities was what got them what could end up being a crucial point.
Gretna arrived at Islecroft rejuvenated under new manager Rowan Alexander and on the back of a tremendous win at Cumbernauld a week before. It was evident from virtually the first minute this was never going to be a match for the purists. The visitors adapted to the tricky underfoot conditions better and they continually fired diagonal balls over the Star defence to turn the Star raerguard and to get themselves into the final third of the pitch. There was very little creativity from either side but the Raydale side were dangerous from set plays and that was how they opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Centre back Jack Hunter couldn’t believe his luck as he found himself unmarked, six yards from goal from a corner and he gave Vinnie Parker no chance with a powerful header.
This gave Gretna a huge lift and though they had the better of proceedings they rarely threatened Parker in the Star goal. At the other end Star could not get any meaningful possession in the final third which meant a Gretna defence, well marshalled by Bryan Gilfillan, were having a comfortable afternoon. The route one football by Gretna was delighting the visiting fans but they couldn’t get the second goal that would give them some breathing space. The closest Star came to a leveller was when Lewis Sloan’s cross picked out Liam Park at the back post and he laid the ball off to Craig Fergusson at the edge of the box and his left foot shot beat keeper Aaron Taylor but went inches past his left hand post.
The second half was more of the same but Star continued to battle and were still very much in the match. Gretna continued to have the better of the match but were unable to create any clearcut chances. As long as the deficit remained at one Star knew they just needed one moment of inspiration that would give them some joy. Just after the hour Greig Thorburn was perhaps a wee bit fortunate only to receive a yellow card for what could best be described as a crude challenge and he had to be replaced by Ross Green. The young full back came on and made two superb blocks late on that ensured Star a valuable point. That point came courtesy of one of the few moments of quality in the match with just ten minutes remaining. Sloan received the ball wide on the left and his sharp turn created himself enough time and space to whip in a vicious inswinging cross that the Gretna defence just had to deal with. Fortunately for Star the ball glanced off a defender’s head and gave keeper Taylor no chance at all.
It was game on for both sides now and as well as Green’s interventions Aiden Kerr also had a superb block to keep Star level but the best chance almost fell to Star deep into stoppage time when Calvin Cowie broke clear but was halted by a very, very late assistants flag which also must have been a very close call. In the end, considering how the game played out, this was a very good point for Star. It also goes to show, just as manager Ritchie Maxwell has preached for a number of weeks now, when you go behind it is vital to remain disciplined and to stay in the match for as long as possible, because you just need one goal to change everything. There was a lot of hype in the build up to the match but the game was handled well by the referee who used the most important asset of any official, common sense. We are quick to criticise the men in charge when they get things wrong so it is only right to give them credit where it’s due. He was sensible early on by not brandishing cards left, right and centre and was therefore able to stamp his authority throughout the match. There were also a couple of incidents that could have escalated but again he handled them perfectly.
Next up for Star is a trip to Cumbernauld, a ground where we have yet to score never mind gain a point. However the Colts have lost a number of their top players and lost last week to Gretna and were thumped 7-0 by East Kilbride, the same side Star ran so close a week ago. So hopefully we will have the chance to right a few wrongs next week.
DALBEATTIE STAR 1 GRETNA FC 2008 1
Hunter (80og) Hunter (10)
DALBEATTIE STAR: Parker, Brotherston, Thorburn (Green 62), Wells , Kirkwood, Wilson (Gordon 86), Park (Middlemiss 72), Fergusson, Kerr, Sloan, Cowie
Subs not used: Williams
Yellow Cards: Thorburn, Cowie, Brotherston
GRETNA FC 2008: Taylor, Patrick, Wadge, Watson, Hunter, Luissint, Usher, Renyard, Smales (Mitchell 74), Gilfillan, Smith (Jackson 74)
Subs not used: Gueu, Henderson
Yellow Cards: Wadge, Hunter