Lowland League | Captain Corbett puts gloss on victory over Star

Posted on Saturday, November 28th, 2020

Spartans continued their steady climb up the Lowland League ladder with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Dalbeattie Star at Ainslie Park.

Matt Baines replaced Harry Stone between the sticks whilst Ian McFarland returned to the match day squad following his longer than preferred time on the treatment table.

It was almost the perfect start for the hosts when Sam Jones took the ball for a run before playing in Aaron Murrell who narrowly dragged his shot wide.

Next up saw Archie Meekison take a dash up the touchline. He sent the ball into the box for Aaron Murrell but he couldn’t get purchase on the ball. Seconds later it was back in the mix and the striker adjusted himself but could only head the ball wide.

Arguably against the run of play, the tourists grabbed a 17th minute opener. Steven Degnan made the most of some generous marking and his shot flew over Matt Baines into the roof of the net.

Spartans rallied and a determined run by Jamie Watson released Archie Meekison however the Star stopper was equal to the task, pushing the ball behind for a corner.

Then, on the half hour mark, the sides were level. Jamie Watson’s low cross evaded Jack Dickinson who took an unaided tumble and Archie Meekison lifted the ball between two defenders to then slam home.

Aside from Referee McCart offering the home gaffer a yellow following his remonstrations surrounding an on-field decision, there appeared to be more than a hint of the teams going in on level terms, but that changed when Spartans took the lead.

Scott Maxwell’s lofted cross into the Dalbeattie box was nodded down by Aaron Murrell into the path of Scott McCrory-Irving who was hovering around the edge of the box and let fly with a stonkingly fierce low drive which nestled in the back of the net.

Half Time: The Spartans 2-1 Dalbeattie Star

The second half didn’t quite live up to its opening partner with limited chances troubling the keepers at either end and a couple of agricultural challenges from the visitors earning cautions and stern words from the Whistler.

Goalscorer Degnan got his name taken for a block on Jamie Watson before Greig Thorburn’s crude challenge on Meekison that didn’t.

On the hour mark, Blair Atkinson, sporting his Movember offering, replaced Aaron Murrell.

Keir Russell then came on for the industrious Archie Meekison who had tormented the Dalbeattie defence throughout.

Spartans had the ball in the net twice in as many minutes however neither counted as Keir Russell’s 30 yarder went into the net but it was guided there by Blair Atkinson who was standing in an offside position. Next up was Sam Jones who was played into the box but was just a little too sharp for his own good.

With the match heading into its final stages, a corner was whizzed into the Star six yard box. It wasn’t dealt with by the defence and Adam Corbett pounced like a seagull on chips to put further light between the sides.

FT: The Spartans 3-1 Dalbeattie Star

You can watch all of the game on our You Tube channel here

A gallery of images from the game can be found on our Facebook page