Gretna beat St Cuthbert Wanderers

Nov 25 2009 By Our Correspondant, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

THANKS in no small part to the work of the volunteer groundsmen, Gretna's game against St Cuthbert Wanderers went ahead, despite the appalling weather.

Dan Carmichael had the ball in the net after five minutes following a Gretna free kick but was ruled offside.

Three minutes later David Nugent set up Tony Nicholson, only for his left-foot shot to be well saved by visiting keeper Shaun Hutchison.

From the resulting corner however, Gretna took the lead when Ian Cumersky fired home.

Gretna dominated the opening stages and after 23 minutes Adam McMath had a shot cleared off the line after a neat build-up.

On 26 minutes, a fine left-foot shot on the turn by the same player was thwarted by the visitors’ keeper.

Gretna continued to create chances but failed to take them. This could have proved costly after 30 minutes when the visitors’ Paul McClymont missed a glorious opportunity when his control let him down with only Alex Mitchell to beat.

The same player was again through on goal on 43 minutes, this time to be thwarted by the home keeper. Just before half time, a mazy run by Dan Carmichael resulted in a left-foot shot going just wide.

The same player started the second half where he left off in the first when, after a good run and cross, the ball was nearly put into his own net by a St Cuthbert defender.

Three corners on the trot then all came to nothing for the home side.

After 56 minutes a good run down the left by Chris Ferrie ended with Tony Nicholson drilling a right-foot shot into the net for Gretna's second goal.

Two minutes later the same player netted his second and Gretna's third from the edge of the penalty area.

The home side continued to dominate with Ian Cumersky and David Nugent prominent in midfield and after 50 minutes Dan Carmichael chipped onto the crossbar and then almost immediately another effort by him went just over.

Five minutes later a fine interception and forward run by Ryan Errington almost resulted in the fourth goal.

On 73 minutes, Adam McMath missed a sitter after a good run and cross by Tony Nicholson.

A St Cuthbert corner produced a rare mistake by Alex Mitchell but Ryan Errington rescued him by blocking the resulting effort on the line.

Shortly after Chris Ferrie fired a free kick just wide to be followed by substitute Dan Jeffrey shooting over when well placed. The same player set up Dan Carmichael two minutes later, the latter keeping possession when a pass to a teammate might have resulted in another goal.

The game ended 3-0; a win that could have perhaps been more emphatic if so many chances had not been spurned, but at least they were created.

Goals, Gretna: Cumersky 8, Nicholson 56, 58.

Gretna: Alex Mitchell, Ryan Errington, Dean Rea, Mark Birch, Nikki White, Ian Cumersky (Dan Jeffrey 79), Chris Ferrie, David Nugent (Carl Murphy (84), Tony Nicholson, Adam McMath (David Seggie 75), Daniel Carmichael .Subs: David Seggie, Carl Murphy, Daniel Jeffrey, Andrew Trestianu.

St Cuthbert Wanderers: Shaun Hutchison, Steve Brown, Craig Wilson, Paul McClymont, David James Kirk, Raymond Gordon, Gary King (James Clark 69), Craig Rudd, Gary McClymont, Adam Johnstone. Subs: Michael Love, James Clark, Matthew McColm, Richard Davis.

Attendance: 118