Crichton defeat high-flying Annan in South of Scotland League

Aug 8 2008 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Friday

SURPRISE result of the night in the South of Scotland League was Crichton’s victory at Galabank over the unbeaten Annan Athletic by two goals to nil.

A goal from John Nichol after 35 minutes and a tremendous 25-yarder from Gary Kerr six minutes from time secured the three points for the league champions who also saw their keeper Tommy Muirhead save a penalty from Chris Norville.

This already sees Crichton sitting joint top of the league with Threave Rovers and Stranraer with Annan now a point behind dropping from the top into fourth place.

Threave Rovers ran riot against Dalbeattie Star winning by eight goals to one with the highlight of the match being a hat-trick from substitute Paul Cook after coming on with only six minutes of the match remaining.

Jamie Struthers opened the scoring with Andrew Donnelly making it two before the break. Ashton pulled one back for the visitors in 63 minutes but a minute later Andrew Donnelly scored his second.

Five minutes later Willie Beattie put his name on the score sheet with Calum Wilson finding the net with 15 minutes left to play. The Paul Cook hat-trick made it eight by the final whistle.

Fleet Star beat Creetown by the odd goal in seven through a Sean Laird double a single from Austin McCarley and a Terry McKie penalty.

Creetown’s scorers were Alan Johnstone, Paul McClymont and Neil Little.

Newton Stewart finished with nine men in their match against St Cuthbert Wanderers at Blairmount after Craig Lamont had been red carded in the first half and Willie Cloy being dismissed for a second yellow after an hour.

Saints took the lead after 10 minutes when a Stuart Maxwell header deceived keeper Harry Fidler and went through his legs as he bent to collect it.

James McColm equalised deservedly from close in after 18 minutes to send the sides in at the break all level.

In 57 minutes a cross ball was deflected by a Newton defender and fell kindly at the back post for Ally McMillan to head home. Newton battled after being reduced to nine men and with 10 minutes to go Harry Fidler saved a Stuart Maxwell penalty but the ball was not properly cleared by the home defence and Gary White popped up to score goal number three for the visitors.

Results

Results from Wednesday: South of Scotland League: Annan Athletic 0 Crichton 2; Fleet Star 4 Creetown 3; Heston Rovers v Abbey Vale – match postponed; Mid Annandale v Nithsdale Wanderers – match postponed; Newton Stewart 1 St Cuthbert Wanderers 3; Threave Rovers 8 Dalbeattie Star 1; Wigtown and Bladnoch 2 Stranraer 3.

Fixtures

Fixtures for Saturday, August 9, all kick-offs at 2pm:

South of Scotland League: Abbey Vale v Stranraer; Crichton v Creetown; Dalbeattie Star v Mid-Annandale; Newton Stewart v Heston Rovers; Nithsdale Wanderers v Threave Rovers; St Cuthbert Wanderers v Annan Athletic; Wigtown and Bladnoch v Fleet Star.

Fixtures for Wednesday, August 13, all kick-offs at 6.45pm unless otherwise stated:

South of Scotland League: Annan Athletic v Abbey Vale; Crichton v Threave Rovers; Fleet Star v St Cuthbert Wanderers; Heston Rovers v Mid-Annandale; Nithsdale Wanderers v Dalbeattie Star; Stranraer v Creetown – kick-off at 7.30pm; Wigtown and Bladnoch v Newton Stewart