Dalbeattie Star ensured season 2024/25 would not end with the trophy cabinet bare as they edged out Lochar Thistle in a tight, tense contest at St. Mary's Park, Kirkcudbright. They successfully retained the Cree Lodge Cup thanks to a thumping header from man of the match David Taylor with just two minutes remaining. Although the season overall was one of disappointment this was a fine way to end it and gives everyone at the club a wee boost as preparations begin for next term.

For all this was a tense match it did get off to a flying start as Star broke the deadlock as early as the 5th minute when a fine move sent left wing back Phil Middlemiss into the Lochar penalty area. His low shot was blocked by the left boot of keeper Konar Pietsch but Star right wing back Declan Rogerson was first to react and he knocked the rebound home. It was the perfect start for Star and gave them something to build on for the rest of the match. It soon became evident this would be a game of few clear chances as both sides were well organised and were almost cancelling each other out. The newly crowned champions were dealt a blow when Robbie Hogg limped off in the 14th minute but soon after they were back on level terms. A deep cross from the right wing was knocked back into the danger area and the ball eventually fell to Rory Copland and his shot found the back of the net with the aid of a deflection. 

Pietsch then made a good save from Olly Meechan but the Star player soon had to hobble off with a dead leg. Lochar were enjoying the lions share of possession but they struggled to break down the Star defence and Jake Gemmell was relatively untroubled in the Star goal. It was much the same at the other end though Pietsch made a tremendous double save to deny Ross Hunter and Connor Potts though the assistants flag had gone up for offside. A minute before the break Kennedy had a decent effort from 20 yards that was narrowly off target.

The second half began with Lochar again having most of the possession with former Star player Lewis Todd pulling the strings. However Star remained composed and just before the hour mark they were inches away from retaking the lead when Kyle Higgins burst into a crowded penalty area and his right foot drive flew past Pietsch but agonisingly the ball smacked off the keepers right hand post and landed at the feet off a defender who gratefully cleared. As the half wore on the more threatening Star became and Finlay Millar saw a looping header fly inches off target. With chances at a premium it was evident that whoever scored the second goal would probably go on to win. With three minutes left Adam Jamieson broke down the left and his shot was well saved by the fingertips of Pietsch. From the resulting corner Jamieson whipped in a great cross to the back post where it was met by the stooping David Taylor and his powerful header gave Pietsch no chance. Lochar then threw everything at Star in a bid to equalise and the closest they came was just a minute after Taylor's goal when Craig Adamson fired in a terrific low curling shot that Gemmell did superbly well to get get down to and turn out for a corner. There was more than six minutes of stoppage time played and Lochar bombarded the Star penalty area by launching ball after ball into it but Star coped well and the final whistle was met by a mixture of joy and relief from the Dalbeattie contingent.

For Lochar there was the obvious disappointment of losing a second final in four days but it cannot take away from an historic season, culminating in them winning the South league title for the first time ever. For Star it was a fine way to end a disappointing season and work will already be under way to make sure the club will be ready and fully charged for the new season when we go again at the end of July.

So enjoy the summer break folks and Mon the Star.

DALBEATTIE STAR 2                        LOCHAR THISTLE 1                      

Rogerson (5)                                     Copland (21)

D Taylor (88)                                     HT 1-1   Att. 205

DALBEATTIE STAR: Gemmell, McMurtrie, Middlemiss (Jamieson 86), Higgins, E Gourlay, D Taylor, Rogerson (Bryson 46), O'Hagan, Hunter (Williamson 62), Potts, Meechan (Millar 28)

Subs: Palmer, R Taylor, Green

Yellow Cards: Higgins

LOCHAR THISTLE: Pietsch, McKeand, Copland, Todd, Muirhead (Adamson 74), Cameron, Hogg (Dalziel 14), Kennedy, Ferguson, Milligan, Zygadlo (Turner 74)

Subs: Adams, Nicholson, Caskie, Craig

Yellow Cards: Kennedy

Ref: E MacFarlane