Yahoo News Dalbeattie Star battle the wind to beat Upper Annandale
Dalbeattie Star refused to be blown away on Saturday.
The Islecroft side played into the winds of Storm Kathleen during the first half of their encounter with Upper Annandale.
And having made it to half-time goalless – despite being reduced to 10 men after the dismissal of Adam Jamieson – they took control after the break to claim a 3-0 win.
Gaffer Eddie Warwick said: “You’ve got to play to the conditions – it’s the hand you’ve been dealt with you and you’ve got to play it accordingly.
“We wanted to get to half-time without conceding, because if they get a goal they’ve something to hang on to and it’s a different game. We were hemmed in due to the wind in the first half but we still managed to get two or three chances and their goalkeeper made two or three good saves.
“We didn’t panic at half-time, we went with the shape we’ve gone before with when we’ve been down to 10 men and within 15 minutes we were 3-0 up.
“I don’t know if that was down to us using the conditions better than the opposition. It was good goals and football and we managed to make changes as well and give everyone game time. We’ve got to be delighted with that and we’re back in the swing of things after a difficult fortnight. If that’s the only difficult fortnight over 10 months then it’s not going to upset me.”
Despite Jamieson’s first- half dismissal for a last-man challenge, they took the lead just after the break when Dale Milligan slotted home.
Soon after the same player slammed Star further in front before Declan Rogerson made it 3-0 to wrap up the win.
The weekend’s result means Star, who have four games left, are three points behind leaders Newton Stewart, who have finished their Utility Hut South of Scotland League fixtures.
Creetown, who are second, are two points off the top with two games to go.
Star and Creetown had been due to meet in the Haig Gordon Cup on Tuesday night but it was postponed due to the weather.
Warwick said: “It’s a super tough week. We’ve got to make sure we can put the fittest, strongest team possible on the pitch for Saturday and get the three points.”
