Star clinched their 13th South of Scotland Football League title in stylish fashion after this resounding victory over Wigtown & Bladnoch. After the match League President Colin Holden handed the league trophy over to Star captain Kyle Higgins, to begin scenes that will remain in the memory for many years to come, especially for the youngsters who came on to celebrate with their heroes and take photos that will be cherished forever.

Star began the match determined to make an early breakthrough but the visitors defended well and enjoyed some luck along the way. In fact they held out for just under half an hour but once the defence was breached, the floodgates were well and truly burst open. The opener came when Johnny Armstrong played a sublime pass to Billy Gray and the big striker did what he does best, driving a low shot past Murdoch in the visiting goal. The goals came in quick succession with another four added before the break. Dylan Woods doubled the lead soon after with a fine curling free kick from the edge of the box after he himself had been upended. Two soon became three when a brilliant piece of skill from Kyle Higgins created enough space for himself to score with a right foot shot from 18 yards. Dan Carmichael then got in on the act with a quickfire double before half time - firstly when he finished off a cut back from Declan Rogerson and then seconds later when he smashed the ball home from just inside the box.

There was no let up for the Trammondford Park side and five minutes into the second half and John Renwick thumped in a header from a Carmichael corner. Two minutes later and Carmichael was tripped in the box and Kylan Hunter made no mistake from 12 yards even though the keeper went the right way. Just after the hour Conor Barney scored his first goal for the club, another header from another Carmichael corner. Hunter scored number nine with another thumping drive before Gray made it double figures when scored his second from six yards. One of the biggest cheers of the day came when Dale Milligan came on for the last five minutes or so after being out injured since Christmas 2024 with a bad ACL injury. He played a part in the last goal when he ran on to a through ball that was cleared by the keeper but only as far as Charlie Cantlie who from the corner of the box scored with a superb first time strike with the outside of his right boot. It was a great way to end the match and let the celebrations begin. 

It has been a memorable campaign for the club and with one match remaining they have more chances to re-write the history books. Their final match on Wednesday is at home to Newton Stewart and a win will complete a 100% home league record, the first time they have achieved this in the South league since being re-formed 50 years ago. in 2006/07 season they achieved that feat when they were playing in the East of Scotland Division One. Also their miserly total of having conceded just 8 goals in their 19 matches so far puts them on the brink of more records. The club record is 11 goals conceded in a league campaign but that was back in 1932/33 when there were just 8 league games played. To bring it more up to date, in the last 50 years Star's best season was in 1984/85 when they let in 15 goals in 18 games. The South League record is 8 goals conceded by Threave Rovers in 1971/72 but again they only played 10 games, so the best since, was 13 let in by Wigtown & Bladnoch in 2013/14 when they played 20 games.

The official trophy and medal presentation will take place before Wednesday nights match at 7.45pm so get along early so as not to miss any of the fun.

DALBEATTIE STAR 11                               WIGTOWN & BLADNOCH 0                                                                                                     

Gray (29, 83)

Woods (31)

Higgins (35)

Carmichael (42, 44)

Renwick (50)

K Hunter (52 pen, 73)

Barney (62) 

Cantlie (89)                                              H-T 5-0   Att 222

DALBEATTIE STAR: Gemmell, Renwick (E Taylor 59), Harkness (Barney 59), Higgins (Milligan 85), Woods (Paterson 59), D Taylor, Carmichael, Armstrong, Gray, Rogerson (Cantlie 66), K Hunter

Subs not used: Bordon, Ferguson

Yellow Cards: None

WIGTOWN & BLADNOCH: Murdoch, Lowrie, Woods, Moore, Wilson, Mu Henderson (Dewar 58), Kirk, Agnew, McDowell McGarrie 46), Keith, Drysdale

Subs not used: Cluckie, MacDonald

Yellow Cards: Agnew     

Ref: S Sutherland