Dalbeattie Star and East Stirlingshire met for just the second time in a cup competition and unfortunately for Star this match ended like the previous meeting with a narrow victory to the Shire. The last clash was of course the famous Scottish Cup tie at Islecroft in 1999 when two Scott Walker goals sent the visitors through after Sean Glendinning had fired Star ahead in front of a crowd of just under 1300. This time around the crowd was barely one tenth of that but they were treated to a very decent game of football between two sides who wanted to get the ball down and play. Both defences were very much on top which meant there was not a lot of goalmouth action with neither keeper being overworked but that should not detract from some very good midfield play from both sides.

Star lined up boosted by the return of Dan Carmichael who had made such a huge impression on the club when he first signed just less than two years ago. There was also a familiar face in goal for Star with Jake Gemmell returning for his first appearance of the season. There was also a famous face in the crowd as well, no not Bailey Smirthwaite our much lauded media guy, but Scottish football legend James McFadden who was there supporting his son James Jnr who was in the Shire starting line up.

The home side began brightly and were moving the ball well on the Ochilview plastic pitch but Star were very disciplined and kept their shape when out of possession. It is always interesting to see how Star will cope in matches like these as in the vast majority of games they play, especially in the South league, they have the lions share of the ball. Despite Shire’s good start the first clear chance fell to the visitors in the 12^th minute when they broke quickly and the ball was played to Carmichael who from a tightish angle tried to curl the ball past the keeper and inside the far post but only succeeded in firing it way over the bar. It was perhaps a wee warning to the home side that they were not going to get everything their own way. In the 17^th minute striker Lucas McRoberts had a half chance but could only fire into the side netting. The only goal of the game came just before the half hour and for Star it will undoubtedly be put in the soft bracket. A fairly harmless looking looping cross from the right was not dealt with by the Star defence at the back post and the ball fell to Kenzie Mitchell, who would be the first to admit his shot was not the sweetest he has ever struck, but it had enough on it to find the back of the net despite the best efforts of Stevie Harkness on the line.

Despite this Star did enjoy some nice passages of play but they struggled to trouble a very sharp home defence who were giving nothing away. The home side pressed looking for a second before the break but the Star defence themselves were playing well and there were very few chances to report. Shire began the second half on the front foot and almost caught Star cold with two good chances, the first fell to McRoberts but he was denied by a superb block from Harkness and the second soon after when goalscorer Mitchell dragged his shot wide. Both theses chances came as a result of Star giving the ball away in their own final third but those mistakes were not to be seen again.

Star then began to grow more into the game and showed more of an attacking threat as they looked for a way back into the tie. Midway through the half a brilliant run down the left by Dylan Woods saw him cut into the penalty area near the bye line and he drilled the ball across the six yard line but unfortunately it found a home defender instead of a team mate and the ball was eventually cleared. As the match wore on you felt Star could take it to penalties as their confidence grew. In the 81^st minute a great break ended with a Kyle Higgins slide rule pass to Phil Middlemiss on the edge of the box. Unfortunately his first touch took him wider than he wanted to go and his effort found the side netting. Two minutes from time a Declan Rogerson cross was headed over by Reece Paterson who to be fair was under some pressure from the home defence. Into stoppage time and the home side almost scored on the break but for a brilliant save from Gemmell and in the fourth and final minute added time Harkness rose highest to meet a Middlemiss cross but he couldn’t put his header on target. When the final whistle went seconds later it was greeted with a huge sigh of relief from the home side and their fans. So well played to East Stirlingshire and all the best in the next round and in the season ahead. For Star there was much to be pleased about with the performance but they will be annoyed at the softness of the goal they conceded. They showed they can certainly compete against a Lowland League side, albeit one at the wrong end of the table, but Shire themselves played some good football and will be looking to climb the table in the weeks ahead.

Unbelievably Star’s next competitive match is not for another five weeks, yes five weeks and it is a big one with Lochar Thistle visiting Islecroft in only our second home match of the season. This is mainly due to upcoming weekends with cup competitions we are no longer in, cup competitions where we have a bye and there being an odd number of teams in our league. 

EAST STIRLINGSHIRE 1                      DALBEATTIE STAR 0                                             

Mitchell (28)                                                                                                                                      

                                                                    HT 1-0  Att. 125

EAST STIRLINGSHIRE: Cantley, Coutts, Docherty, Inglis, Gomis, Lamont, McRoberts, O'Neill (Liddell 85), McFadden (Curtis 68), MacDonald, K Mitchell (Murray 65)

Subs not used: Hobbs, Dowie, MacAlpine, N Mitchell

Yellow Cards: Inglis

DALBEATTIE STAR: Gemmell, Bryson (Meechan 80), O'Sullivan, Higgins, Harkness, D Taylor, Carmichael, Caffrey (E Taylor 80), Paterson, Potts (Middlemiss 63), Woods (Rogerson 74)

Subs not used: Cantlie, R Taylor, Ferguson

Yellow Cards:

Ref: M McCart

Dalbeattie Star maintained their 100% league record with a hard earned 3-0 win at Lochmaben. They also kept another clean sheet meaning they have conceded just one goal in 450 minutes of South football this season. But they were made to battle all the way by a Lochmaben side containing a few familiar faces to Star fans. Home keeper Sam Henderson produced a number of good saves but could do little to prevent the three excellent strikes that found their way into the back of his net.

The Star line up included a full debut for Charlie Cantlie after impressing in his few substitution appearances so far. It was an even start to the match but Star opened the scoring in spectacular fashion when returning captain Kyle Higgins fired one into the top corner of the net from a full 20 yards in the 19th minute. Just four minutes later and Lochmaben came so close to equalising but were denied by a superb goalline clearance by Farrel O'Sullivan. With half time fast approaching Star scored a crucial second when Connor Potts hammered the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

The second half followed a similar pattern and a goal for the home side would change the whole complexion of the match but the Star defence looked solid throughout. With the clock ticking down Lochmaben were reduced to ten men when defender Chris Newbould was shown a straight red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. From the resultant free kick Higgins scored with a terrific strike to seal another good win and three points for the South league leaders.

Next week Star return to cup duty as they travel to Larbert to face East Stirlingshire in the SFA South Region Challenge Cup. It's a competition Star has not performed well in over recent years so it would good to change that next weekend especially against Lowland League opposition.

LOCHMABEN 0                                      DALBEATTIE STAR 3                                             

                                                                      Higgins (19. 88)

                                                                      Potts (43)                                                                     

                                                                      HT 0-2  Att. 50 

LOCHMABEN: Henderson, Cairns, O'Hagan, Loughran (G Thorburn 82), Newbould, Kerr, Hughes (Simpson 74), Milligan, Graham, Daniels, Ramsay (Brown 82)

Subs not used: Paisley, Robinson, C Thorburn

Yellow Cards: Graham, Daniels, Newbould, G Thorburn

Red Card: Newbould (87)

DALBEATTIE STAR: Ferguson, Harkness (E Taylor 77), O'Sullivan, Higgins, Woods, D Taylor, Rogerson (Meechan 46), Caffrey, Paterson (Palmer 89), Potts (Bryson 83), Cantlie (Middlemiss 46)

Subs not used: R Taylor, Gemmell

Yellow Cards: Harkness

Ref: E MacFarlane

Dalbeattie Star's Scottish Cup journey was a short and not so sweet one as they lost out in the 2nd preliminary round tie away to Tayport. They were right in the tie for the first hour or so but they were eventually overpowered by a much physically stronger side. The home side adapted to the conditions better as they always looked to play the ball forward and down the channels quickly, whereas Dalbeattie's passing game would be difficult to implement on a bone hard and fiery pitch. But they stuck to their guns and when the midfield combined well they were able to create some problems for the strong home defence. Over the 90 minutes though Tayport were worthy winners and thoroughly deserved their place in the first round. They had a number of impressive players in their line up, none more so than Ethan Samson who tormented the Star defence time and time again. He may not have got his name on the scoresheet but his three assists were what turned out to be the big difference between the two sides. His game has pace, power and plenty of ability  and he will undoubtedly be the dangerman when they travel to Coldstream in the next round.

Star travelled north minus captain Kyle Higgins who was unavailable, joining long term absentees Dale Milligan and Ross Hunter on the sidelines. A good start is what all teams look for in any match and this one couldn't have been much worse for Star. With barely 70 seconds on the clock and with a lot of the crowd not even in the ground, the home side went ahead. A corner from the right was flicked on at the near post and the ball fell nicely for Jamie Hume at the back post and his sweetly struck right foot volley found the back of the net. This really fired up the home players and fans and they immediately went hunting a second goal. In the 8th minute they were inches away from a second when a cross from the left was met by Jay Yule but his header smacked off the inside of keeper Ally Ferguson's right hand post before being cleared. Star slowly began to play themselves into the match but they were finding the home defence a tough nut to crack. However Reece Paterson was putting in a terrific shift up front and his work rate was incredible. Despite finding himself isolated for long spells he continued to press and harass the home defence and was a complete nuisance to them the whole game. In the 21st minute he was manhandled to the ground inside the penalty area which was well worth a penalty appeal but the referee waved them away feeling there was not enough in it. By now it was a much more even match but with neither keeper being called into any serious action. Just before the half hour a Dylan Woods corner found Cammy Bryson rising highest at the back post but under some pressure his header went inches wide. With half time fast approaching Star had their best spell in the match but they really needed a goal as a reward for their efforts. In the 42nd minute Paterson nipped in front of defender Greg McColm and with just keeper Gary Thain to beat, had his heels clipped by McColm for a definite penalty. The big question was what colour of card the referee would produce and the big defender breathed a huge sigh of relief when it was a yellow. Up stepped stand in skipper Connor Potts and his spot kick went low to the keepers right to make it 1-1. Right on half time Ally Ferguson pulled off a terrific save for Star but the assistants flag was up for offside, though the keeper didn't know that at the time.

At half time Star would have been pleased with their afternoon's work so far but they knew it would be even harder in the second. Tayport came out strongly but Star were coping well enough.  On the hour though the home side went back in front when a crossfield pass found Samson on the right wing and he took the ball down, charged to the bye line and cut the ball back across the six yard line. The first shot was well blocked but the rebound fell nicely to substitute Nicholas Mann who stabbed the ball home. This goal was a huge blow to Star and a massive boost to Tayport. They pushed on and two goals in as many minutes soon after put the tie well out of Star's reach. In the 72nd minute Samson collected a long ball over the top and his cut back was only half cleared but it fell to Stefan Elvin and he scored with a well placed low right foot shot. Two minutes later and it was 4-1 and in a similar fashion as Samson cut the ball back and this time it was Jay Yule that clipped the ball home. With the game over Star twice went close to a late consolation. The first was when a Woods corner was headed off the line by Owen Lunan and the second when Paterson nipped in between the two central defenders and poked the ball past the onrushing keeper but it ran inches wide of the post.

So another quick cup exit for Star but Tayport were worthy winners and we wish them well in the next round and for the rest of the season. It's back to league duty for Star next Saturday as we look to maintain our 100% league record with a trip to Lochmaben.

Mon the Star.

TAYPORT 4                                               DALBEATTIE STAR 1                                             

Hume (2)                                                 Potts (42pen)

Mann (60)

Elvin (72)

Yule (74)                                                  HT 1-1  Att. 170 

TAYPORT: Thain, Lunan, Crichton (Mann 46), McColm, Samson, Yule (Simpson 78), Gill (Shepherd 78), Sivewright, Hume (Lowe 90), Timmons, Elvin (McMulkin 78)

Subs not used: Ballantine, Duncan

Yellow Cards: Gill, McColm, Yule, Lunan, McMulkin

DALBEATTIE STAR: Ferguson, Bryson, O'Sullivan, Woods, Bowman, D Taylor, Rogerson, Caffrey, Paterson, Potts, Middlemiss

Subs not used: Harkness, Meechan, Palmer, R Taylor, Cantlie, E Taylor, Devlin

Yellow Cards: Potts, Woods

Ref: V Melnyk

Star continued their perfect start to the 2025/26 season after this fine victory at St. Mary's Park.  But they were made to battle by a determined home side who on this performance will make life difficult for a lot of teams this season. Despite not making an early breakthrough, the Islecroft side kept their patience and were on the receiving end of some good fortune when they did open the scoring but in the second half they really got into their groove and ran out good winners. In fact Star not only scored five but the Saints trialist keeper had an outstanding match and made a number of top class saves to keep his side in the match.

Star lined up with keeper Ally Ferguson making his competitive debut along with new signing Tyler Bowman and both could be pleased with their nights work. Another new signing Dylan Woods began the match though he had played before as a trialist, and he showed signs of what a quality player he is. The Friday night kick off seemed to add to the occasion and the attendance was certainly more than you would expect from a Saturday afternoon game and is perhaps something more South teams should look at to attract more punters to their matches.

Star nearly got off to a flyer and in the 4th minute a ball over the top found Reece Paterson but his shot was well saved by the trialist keeper. Two minutes later Connor Potts had a chance but slipped as he shot but it still needed a good save to push his effort out for a corner. The home side were struggling to trouble the Star defence but they were certainly keeping the Star attack at bay. Five minutes from the break Star opened the scoring when they took a short corner and Kyle Higgins whipped in a terrific cross to the near post that defender Kieran Ross couldn't let go but could only head past his keeper and into the net. It was perhaps a fortuitous goal but fully deserved nevertheless. Three minutes later the visitors looked sure to double their lead when Andy Caffrey connected superbly with a terrific volley which the keeper incredibly touched on to the underside of the bar before being cleared.

Into the second half and Star continued to press and in the 52nd minute they thought they had scored the crucial second goal when the Saints keeper did well to save a Higgins shot and like all good strikers Reece Paterson was in the right spot to fire home the rebound. However the joy was short lived as the referee blew for an offside that not one Saints player appealed for. On the hour and Star's midfield trio of Higgins, Caffrey and Woods all combined well to set up Declan Rogerson and he skipped past a number of defenders inside the box but watched agonisingly as his shot struck the inside of the post and rolled across the face of the goal to safety. Saints then enjoyed their best spell as the forced a couple of corners and fired in some dangerous looking crosses that were dealt with efficiently by the Star defence. Midway through the second half Star at last scored the second goal that gave them the breathing space they wanted when they broke quickly with Rogerson's shot being well saved again but this time there was no offside to deny Paterson his first goal of the night. Three minutes later and a delighted Declan Rogerson made it 3-0 when he took a good touch inside the box before scoring with the neatest of finishes. In the 76th minute Paterson scored the fourth when a Higgins free kick was half blocked and Paterson was on hand to head the ball home. Both sides made a number of substitutions but there was time for Paterson to complete his hat-trick when Cafftrey found him with a quick free kick inside the box and he scored with a first time right foot shot on the turn that sneaked just inside the far post giving the keeper no chance. In the last couple of minutes Saints trialist keeper still had time to make two superb saves to deny substitute Rhys Taylor and Caffrey (again!).

So another good nights work for Star who next week travel to Tayport on Scottish Cup duty on a weekend that is one of the seasons highlights for non league sides. 

ST CUTHBERT WANDERERS 0         DALBEATTIE STAR 4                                             

                                                                       Ross og (40)

                                                                       Paterson (68, 76, 82)

                                                                       Rogerson (71)                                                         

                                                                       HT 0-1  Att. 162

ST. CUTHBERT WANDERERS: Maxwell, Foster, Shields, McConaghie, Hall, Ross (Thomson 67), Watkins, McKeand (L McFadyen 84), F Campbell (Kirkpatrick 84), Gibson (M McFadyen 62), Perez (Wilson 84)

Subs not used: A Campbell, McMillan

Yellow Cards: Foster, Thomson, Watkins

DALBEATTIE STAR: Ferguson, Rogerson (Cantlie 77), Harkness (Bryson 46), Higgins, Bowman, D Taylor, O'Sullivan, Caffrey, Paterson (R Taylor 82), Potts (Meechan 69), Woods (Middlemiss 69)

Subs not used: E Taylor

Yellow Cards: Higgins

Ref: M Williamson

Star made it three wins from three to maintain their perfect start to the 2025/26 season after a comprehensive victory over Mid Annandale. The Islecroft side got off to the perfect start when Connor Potts scored after a fine pass from Kyle Higgins and they never looked like losing control after that. The closest the home side came to an equaliser was in the 12th minute when they struck the post but it was Star that always held the upper hand.

The crucial second goal came just before half time when debutant Reece Paterson was brought down in the box and Potts made no mistake from 12 yards. On the hour Paterson made it a scoring debut when he rose superbly to head past Ciaran Boyes in the home goal. The scoring ended in the 73rd minute when captain Higgins made it two goals in two games to complete a very good afternoon's work.

Star has no match this weekend off so our next match will be a trip to Kirkcudbright to face a much improved St. Cuthbert Wanderers. Please note the .game takes place on the Friday night (22nd Aug) with an 8pm kick off.

MID ANNANDALE 0                         DALBEATTIE STAR 4                                             

                                                                 Potts (3, 41pen)

                                                                 Paterson (60)

                                                                 Higgins (73)                                                           

                                                                 HT 0-2  Att. 40

MID ANNANDALE: Boyes, Bell, Robson (Peat 70), Carcu, Harley (Monteith 56), Hammond, Wagner (McMillan 80), Collins (Carruthers 46), Noble, Jackson (Storey 70), Wright

Subs not used: Story, Matthewson

Yellow Cards: Robson, Hammond

DALBEATTIE STAR: Hall, E Taylor (Palmer 65), Harkness, Higgins, Renwick, Woods, Meechan (Bryson 46), Caffrey (Benson 80), Paterson (R Taylor 80), Potts, Middlemiss (Cantlie 65)

Subs not used: O'Sullivan, Ferguson

Yellow Cards: Renwick

Ref: R Stevenson



Thanks to Ged Shennan for the photos.

Dalbeattie Star made it two wins out of two in the South of Scotland League following a convincing win away to Nithsdale Wanderers. Lorimer Park has proved to be a tough ground for Star to take anything away from in the past few seasons and this match was no different, but they faced up so well to the tough task that faced them and eventually ran out comfortable winners. You always know what you are going to get when you travel to Sanquhar for a match, as the home side play a very aggressive, in your face style of football but the Star youngsters let their football do the talking. The home side always look to go forward quickly at every opportunity and even when they went down to ten men, they continued to push forward but the Star defence coped well with what was thrown at them. Indeed, but for an inspirational performance from home keeper Les Graham, the winning margin could have been a lot more. Despite conceding five goals Graham produced a string of top class saves to keep the scoreline respectable, with the two best being a superb low fingertip save down to his right to deny Declan Rogerson and another to touch a Connor Potts piledriver over the bar. On top of that he must have faced a handful of one on ones with the Star attack, and only once did he concede.

Star lined up with just two changes to the starting XI that beat Creetown at Islecroft the week before, with two trialists being replaced by Declan Rogerson and Ewan Taylor, who was making his first start for his local side. The tall defender was directly up against the home sides dangerman Cameron MacKenzie and despite him scoring just before half time, Taylor had a fine match ensuring the forward had little influence on the match. Star got off to a flying start in this game and within 15 minutes they were deservedly two goals ahead and well on their way to victory. The first came in the 5^th minute when Potts collected the ball on the right hand side of the penalty area, cut inside a defender onto his left foot and unleashed a terrific strike that gave Graham no chance at all. The lead was doubled in the 13^th minute when Potts collected a deep cross at the back post that needed two defenders to block his shot. He then rolled the ball back to Adam Jamieson at the edge of the box and with everyone expected an attempt at goal, Jamieson played a clever little pass to Kyle Higgins who was unmarked in the middle of the penalty area and he took a touch before passing the ball past the helpless Graham.

The home side pushed hard to get back into the match but they struggled to trouble a well organised Star defence. In fact it was the Islecroft side that looked the more likely to score again and the only surprise was that it took until the 43^rd minute to make it 3-0. Potts was again the tormentor in chief when he chested down a cross and drilled a low left foot shot just inside the far post, again giving Graham no chance at all. That made it 3-0 with half time approaching but we have seen Star teams lose 3-0 leads at Lorimer Park before and right enough within seconds Wanderers were back in the match with a well worked and well taken goal. A neat pass for once split the Star defence and McKenzie ran through and slipped the ball low past Taylor Hall. It was just the tonic the home side was looking for and they came out for the second half with a bit more hope in their hearts.

However that was pretty much extinguished early in the second period when Star restored their three goal advantage. A trialist came on as a substitute and within seconds he latched on to a loose ball inside the penalty and fired a crisply struck right foot effort that comprehensively beat Graham in the home goal. Just before the hour Nithsdale went down to ten men when player manager Danny Naismith was shown a straight red card for an off the ball incident right in front of the referee. This didn’t seem to upset the home side too much and in fact they probably played better when a man short. However Star was always that bit quicker and sharper and should have added a few more to their tally before the trialist completed the scoring in the 78th minute when he broke clear, rounded the keeper and slid the ball into the empty net. Lorimer Park is obviously a happy hunting ground for the trialist as he scored twice on Star’s last visit to the ground in April.

So an excellent afternoon’s work for Star in what was the first in a run of six away games in a row. Next up is a trip to Lochmaben where Star will be looking to make it three wins from three

NITHSDALE WANDERERS 1          DALBEATTIE STAR 5                                             

McKenzie (44)                                   Potts (5, 42)

                                                                  Higgins (13)

                                                                  Trialist (53, 78)

                                                                  HT 1-3  Att. 75

NITHSDALE WANDERERS: Graham, Harper, K Paterson, Watt, Naismith, Ferrans, Roy (Adams 67), Kennedy, F Paterson (Roberts 60), McGill, McKenzie (McNeil 80)

Subs: McMurdo, French, Baillie, McCrone

Yellow Cards: Harper, Kennedy

Red Cards: Galbraith (58)

DALBEATTIE STAR: Hall, E Taylor, O'Sullivan (Meechan 64), Higgins, Harkness, D Taylor, Middlemiss, Caffrey (Trialist 52), Rogerson (Trialist 64), Potts, Jamieson (R Taylor 75)

Subs not used: Cantlie, Palmer, Ferguson

Yellow Cards: Harkness

Ref: E MacFarlane

Star got their competitive season off to a winning start thanks to debutant Stevie Harkness scoring a late winner against a well organised Creetown side. The home side certainly had the better of exchanges but they struggled to break down the Creetown defence and create many clearcut chances, which considering the stop start nature of the pre-season Star had to endure, was perhaps not surprising.

The afternoon began in a sombre mood as both sides paid a respectful tribute to our former player Charlie Watson, who tragically lost his brave battle against cancer in the summer. With this being our first home match since Charlie's sad passing, it was only right and fitting that this should be done and we thank Creetown FC for their co-operation and also for paying their own respects in such a dignified manner. 

Star began on the front foot and as early as the 4th minute Connor Potts fired just wide. The first shot on target  came in the 15th minute but Downie in the visitors goal saved comfortably from Star's trialist striker. The Islecroft side continued to push and probe and midway through the half Potts again tried his luck but again Downie saved. Star began the second half by stepping up a gear and in the 48th minute new captain Kyle Higgins fired in a fine effort that Downie did superbly well to tip over the bar. As the match wore on it became evident that one goal would probably be enough to take all three points and thankfully it arrived for Star in the 77th minute. An Adam Jamieson corner fell nicely for Stevie Harkness and and he shot low past Downie from 8 yards much to his and his team mates delight. Despite posing little or no goal threat throughout the match, Creetown almost snatched an unlikely equaliser in the 84th minute but another debutant Taylor Hall, produced a terrific save to make sure all three points remained at the Croft. 

So a good start for Star but incredibly their next scheduled home match is not until 18th October, unless we get a home draw in the SFA South Region Challenge Cup. So we begin a long run of away matches with a trip to Sanquhar to face Nithsdale Wanderers, who always make it tough for us.  

DALBEATTIE STAR 1                        CREETOWN 0                       

Harkness (77)

                                                                  HT 0-0  Att.

DALBEATTIE STAR: Hall, Trialist, Harkness, Jamieson, Higgins, D Taylor, Middlemiss, Caffrey, Trialist (E Taylor 60), Potts, O'Sullivan (R Taylor 87)

Subs not used: Ferguson, Bryson, Benson, Cantlie, Milligan

Yellow Cards: None

CREETOWN: Downie, Trialist, Trialist, Whorlow, Richardson, Trialist, Halliday (Trialist 72), Hughes, Rennie, Rogers, Trialist

Subs not used: McCulloch, Trialist, Trialist

Yellow Cards: Rogers, Richardson, Hughes

Ref: J Brown