Dalbeattie Star's Scottish Cup run may have ended at the first hurdle this season but at least they went out with all guns blazing. In one of their best displays so far this term, they pushed one of the best sides in the Highland League all the way and only a stunning 25 yard rocket shot denied them the opportunity of taking the match to extra time. Over the 90 minutes no one would argue the home side deserved their victory but considering the kind of start to the season that Star has suffered, then this was most definitely a match which they can take a lot of positives from.

Star travelled north knowing they would be minus the influential Dan Carmichael, who had already committed to play in the Tennent Sixes for Hibernian, but when the team lines were released there was a massive boost for all with a Star persuasion when the name of Kyle Higgins appeared on it. When he was stretchered off minutes into the match away to Newtongrange Star few would have thought he would be back in a red and black jersey just four weeks later. Both sides began brightly but it was Star that took something of a shock lead when striker Godspower Oguama was tripped inside the box and he stepped up to convert well from 12 yards. Thistle immediately stepped up a gear and put the Islecroft side under some serious pressure and they were rewarded with two quick strikes from Jack Davison and Robbie Thompson gave them a half time lead. 

The second period saw the home side continue to push forward but Star posed a threat on the break. With 20 minutes remaining Strathspey had the perfect opportunity to put some daylight between the two sides when they themselves were awarded a spot kick but Star stopper Michael McIlvaney produced a superb save to keep the match firmly in the balance. Then with just four minutes left on the clock substitute Reece Paterson was clipped inside the box and Star had the perfect opprtunity to level the tie and potentailly send the match into extra time. Oguama was coolness personified as he calmly stepped up and sent keeper Dylan MacLean the wrong way to make it 2-2. With both sides preparing for another 30 minutes Thompson collected the ball inside the Star half and there appeared little danger until he unleashed a tremendous strike from some 25 yards that gave McIlvaney no chance in the Star goal. In all honesty it was a goal fit to win any match and should win the goal of the round considering the quality of the strike and the timing of it. The final whistle went soon after and Star's cup dream was over for another year. We congratulate Thistle on their victory and wish them all the best in the next round and for the rest of the season. They were excellent hosts and looked after our players and officials superbly.

For Star the hope is they can take this level of performance into the league matches and if they do, then surely they will start to pick up points. To a certain degree they managed to eliminate the individual errors that have plagued their season so far and if they carry this on then surely there will be an uplift in the clubs fortunes in the weeks and months ahead. 

Star has a free weekend coming up before we travel to league leaders Kilwinning Rangers the following Saturday so by then we will be straight back in at the deep end.

STRATHSPEY THISTLE 3                                   DALBEATTIE STAR 2                                         

Davison (36)                                                       Oguama (18pen, 86pen)

Thompson (40, 89)                                          McIlvaney saved pen (70)

    HT 2-1   Att. 100                                                 

STRATHSPEY THISTLE: MacLean, Kelly, Ramsay, McShane, McRitchie, R MacLeod, Fraser, Davison (Morrison 73), K MacLeod, Thompson, Greig (Shewan 46)

Subs not used: Simpson, Hardie, Sienkowski

Yellow Cards: McShane, Ramsay, Thompson

DALBEATTIE STAR: McIlvaney, Muir, Suleyman (Paterson 74), Higgins (Kouame 75), Woods, D.Taylor, Hunter (Wan 90+1), McConnell, Oguama (R Taylor 90+1), Lewis, Kalala (Shaw 75)

Subs not used: Harkness, Mitchell

Yellow Cards: Suleyman, Muir, Hunter, Lewis

Ref: R Donaldson

Many thanks to Callum Marshall for the photos.

Star's poor run of results continued with another heavy home defeat, this time against Gretna FC 2008. With the injury list piling up Star had to field  no fewer than five trialists in this match. A major problem for the team this season has either been conceding early or letting in goals in quick succession. Unfortunately Star managed both in this match which meant by half time the game was as good as over. To make matters more frustrating most of the visitors goals were easily avoidable and were as a result of poor defending from a Star perspective. The second half saw a big improvement from the home side and they were rewarded with a fine towering header from Deryn McConnell with just ten minutes remaining.

Next up for Star is a long trip up north in the Scottish Cup to face Strathspey Thistle.

DALBEATTIE STAR 1                                           GRETNA FC 2008 5

McConnell (80)                                                 Short (2)

                                                                                  Anderson (24)

                                                                                  Chapman (28, 38)

                                                                                  McLinden (89)

                                                                                  HT 0-4   Att. 176                                                

DALBEATTIE STAR: Mitchell, McConnell, Muir (Wan 80), Hunter (Kouame 46), Onotu (Boutchoue 69), D.Taylor, Carmichael, Lewis, Paterson (Shaw 63), McMillan, Kalala,

Subs not used: R Taylor, McIlvaney, Higgins

Yellow Cards: D Taylor

GRETNA FC 2008: J Atkinson, Muir (Kennedy 75), Currie (Hill 66), McMurtrie, S Atkinson, Short, Bell (Hall 61), Oram (McLinden 75), Anderson, Lamonby (McGeouch 61), Chapman

Subs not used: A Aitchison

Yellow Cards: Muir, Bell,  Kennedy

Ref: A Campbell

Dalbeattie Star's search for their first win of the season goes on but they will feel this was the match that should have broken the run. The fact they didn't even earn a draw makes it twice as annoying as this was a match they should have taken, at the very minimum, a point. They deservedly led at half time thanks to Dylan Woods' stunning left foot effort but a slow start to the second period allowed the home side back into the match. Once the score-line was level it was Star that looked the most likely to re-take the lead but they were hit by a late sucker punch and as a result the league table makes for grim reading.

Both teams went into this match with just a point apiece and both would have thought it was their best chance to get grab their first first. Newton played exactly the way everyone thought, very physical and very direct. The home side had captain Marc Whyte playing in defence and the fact they completely bypassed the midfield for the whole match by going from back to front, perhaps explained why and it has to be said he had a fine match in the back four. Star attempted to play their way up the park and though they had a good level of control they found the home defence a tough nut to crack. The opening period found defences on top and the closest Newton came to scoring was in the 10th minute when Robert Middleton took advantage of a defensive to trickle the ball past Michael McIlvaney in the Star goal before being cleared by Stevie Harkness. The big centre back came closest for Star ten minutes later when his header from six yards went over the bar when he probably should have at least found the target. The deadlock was broken on the half hour when Dylan Woods broke forward at pace and unleashed a superb left footed strike from some 25 yards that flew into the top corner of the net to give Star a spectacular opener. It was the first time this season that Star had opened the scoring and the question was how would they react to this. They did however see the match out to half time safely with neither side threatening to find the back of the net.

The second half began in a tentative fashion for Star which they struggled to get out of. This allowed the home side to take the initiative and put the visiting defence under some pressure. In the 57th minute a fine save from McIlvaney denied Caygill and soon after Middleton had a good sight at goal but his effort from a tightish angle flew past the far post. Star were struggling to get any kind of control and they were causing their own problems, so it was no surprise when the home side levelled in the 64th minute. A corner from the right was floated into a crowded six yard box and after an almighty scramble Whyte managed to bundle the ball home from a few yards out. This goal gave Star the kick up the backside they needed as they immediately began to play again. 

Minutes after losing their lead an excellent run from Brandon Muir saw his cross find substitute Pater Mendy but his shot was turned away for a corner by keeper Thompson. Star were certainly in the ascendency now and Kylan Hunter saw his shot cleared off the line by Fraser. In the 78th minute Dan Carmichael's cross found Mendy six yards from goal but his header was just off target. Thompson then came to his team's rescue with three find saves to deny Gravine Kalala, Hunter and Woods. The keeper was clearly enjoying his afternoon as time and again he would come to collect crosses to relieve the pressure on his defence. With four minutes left and Star still pressing for a winner they were caught by a sucker punch when former Star defender Cammy Bryson punted the ball from his own half over the Star defence that was latched on to by Harry Mitchell and his finish was clinical as he gave McIlvaney no chance. Star pushed looking for an equaliser but the home side held out comfortably for their first ever Lowland League win which understandably produced a big celebration among the home plalers and fans.

For Star it was a tough one to take but they must pick themselves up quickly with another local derby looming on the horizon next Saturday as Gretna FC 2008 travel to Islecroft. 

NEWTON STEWART 2                                       DALBEATTIE STAR 1 

Whyte (64)                                                          Woods (30)

Mitchell (86)                                                       HT 0-1   Att. 130                                               

NEWTON STEWART: Thompson, Service, Fraser, Halliday, Caygill (Bryson 82), Whyte, Middleton (McKenzie 82), Drysdale, Mitchell, McKeand, McClorey

Subs not used: Agnew, Humphries

Yellow Cards: Service, McClorey, Drysdale, Halliday, McKeand

DALBEATTIE STAR: McIlvaney Muir, Nelson, Harkness (Suleyman 58), McConnell, D.Taylor, Carmichael, Woods, Paterson (Mendy 55), Kalala, Hunter (Shaw 86)

Subs not used: Wan, R Taylor, Mitchell

Yellow Cards: McConnell, Carmichael, Harkness, Woods

Ref: M Williamson

This was a much improved performance from Star especially considering they went two goals down inside 20 minutes. Especially in the second half when they came close on a few occasions in what was an entertaining match for the fans. After a couple of disappointing performances this will give the players a boost going in to a crucial match away to Newton Stewart this weekend.

CELTIC B 2                                                             DALBEATTIE STAR 0 

Clearie (8pen)                

Keenan (17)                                                         HT 2-0   Att.                                                   

CELTIC B: Patterson, Forrester, Haney (Cingel 68), Clements, McGarry (Sedwell 46), Turley, Dargie (Obidewe 77), K Daly (Watt 58), Clearie (Meechan 58), Mulgrew, Keenan

Subs: Lyall, English

Yellow Cards: None

DALBEATTIE STAR: Mitchell, Muir, Nelson, Harkness, McConnell, D.Taylor, Hunter, Woods, Shaw (R Taylor 81), Wan (Suleyman 63), Kalala

Subs not used: Paterson, Carmichael, McIlvaney

Yellow Cards: None

Ref: S Broadfoot

A depleted Dalbeattie Star side missing a number of players either injured or unavailable meaning many of them were forced in to playing out of position, endured another difficult Saturday afternoon against an impressive Cumnock Juniors side. Again the players could not be faulted for effort but they were always facing an uphill task in this match.

They were very competitive in the first period that saw them pinned inside their own half for long bspells and things looked bleak when the visitors scored twice in a minute through Cole Burke and Jon Craig. However Star refused to buckle and Gravine Kalala scored the goal ofthe match in the 37th minute when he cut in from the left and from the corner of the penalty area curled in a beauty that gave keeper Blair Currie no chance at all. A minute or so later Kylan Hunter came within inches of scoring a shock equaliser but his effort from over 20 yards was inches wide.

Star were still very much in the match as the second half began but two goals from Zander Craik and an unlucky own goal from Ben Nelson took the game out of Star's reach. The visitors rounded off a fine afternoon with further efforts from Craik and Ryan Edgar.

It doesn't get any easier for Star as they now face a midweek match away to Celtic B and they will be hoping to have more players available especially with matches against Newton Stewart and Gretna FC 2008 on the horizon.

DALBEATTIE STAR 1                                             CUMNOCK JUNIORS 6                                                                                        

Kalala (37)                                                            Burke (20)

                                                                                    Craig (21)

                                                                                    Craik (51, 64)

                                                                                    Nelson og (55)

                                                                                    Edgar (75)

                                                                                    HT 1-2   Att. 152                                                 

DALBEATTIE STAR: McIlvaney, Harkness, Suleyman (Wan 63), Nelson, Woods, D.Taylor, Carmichael, McConnell, Muir, Kalala, Hunter (R Taylor 78)

Subs not used: Paterson, Shaw, Mitchell

Yellow Cards: D Taylor, R Taylor

CUMNOCK JUNIORS: Currie, Stoddart, Craig, McDonald, Burke, Chalmers (Sharp 60), Smith (Breadner 67), Buchanan, Craik (Gallagher 67), Lavery (Barlow 67), Edgar

Subs not used: Russell

Yellow Cards: Stoddart

Ref: J Fairley

Star's poor record in the SFA South Region Challenge Cup continued as they made another exit at the first time of asking. After a tough start to the season they went into this tie hopeful of a first win, but in all honesty that rarely looked like happening once the home side opened the scoring. The Dalbeattie side were second best in most departments and can have few complaints at the end result. The visitors got off to a terrible start and things diidn't get much better thereafter. As early as the second minute captain Kyle Higgins received a bad injury that saw him carried from the field and eventually stretchered to the dressing room where he was then taken to a Glasgow hospital to find out he has suffered ankle ligament damage. Hopefully he will be back in a Star jersey soon as he will be sorely missed. Amazingly Kyle did not even get a foul for the challenge and perhaps more worryingly the referee did not stop play until the ball went out of play a minute or so later, when everyone could see the player was in some distress.

If Star were shaken by losing their captain so early their mood was not helped in the 10th minute when the home side opened the scoring with a well taken goal from Aidan Barrowman who drilled a fine left foot shot that went in off the far post. Newtongrange created chance after chance in the first half and the only good news for the Islecroft side at half time was that the deficit was only one as the game could have been out of sight by then. Star never really worked McCathie in the home goal though a couple of balls flew across the six yard line with no takers and Reece Paterson had a more than decent shout for a penalty when he was clipped inside the penalty area, but the referee waved away the appeals.

Twelve minutes into the second period and Star's afternoon went from bad to to worse when Stevie Harkness was shown a second yellow card when a Newtongrange attacker went down after a tangle of legs and a penalty kick was awarded. In a rare bright moment of the afternoon for the visitors, the spot kick was sent high and wide and this seemed to give Dalbeattie a wee bit of hope. Despite being a man short they began to enjoy a decent spell but still could not trouble McCathie. In the 69th minute the tie was all but over when Barrowman repeated his effort from the first half but this time with his right foot and it was now a question of how many. Gravine Kalala then became the second Dalbeattie player to be helped off the field when he received a dead leg. The scoring ended seven minutes from time when substitute Arran Laidlaw netted with another well taken effort.

So a disappointing afternoon as Dalbeattie still look for their first win of the season. It was a tough watch at times for those in red and black and even tougher for those playing. Everyone will need to pick themselves for next weeks home match at home to Cumnock Juniors as there is plenty of ability in this squad but at the moment things are just not gelling. However one result and one afternoon could change all that and hopefully that will be next week at the Croft. 

NEWTONGRANGE STAR 3                                 DALBEATTIE STAR 0                                                                                         

Barrowman (10, 69)

Laidlaw (83)                                                         HT 1-0   Att. 190                                               

NEWTONGRANGE STAR: McCathie, Brogan (Bradley 76), McKenzie, Reid, S Buchanan, Galloway (Davidson 86), Connor, Quinn (Laidlaw 76), Anagnostou (J Buchanan 76), Barrowman (Holmes 80), Sutherland

Subs not used: Moffat

Yellow Cards: None

DALBEATTIE STAR: Mitchell, Muir, Nelson, Higgins (Woods 4), Harkness, D.Taylor, Carmichael, Wan (Suleyman 46), Paterson (R Taylor 85), Downie (Hunter 46), Kalala (Shaw 80).

Subs not used: McIlvaney

Yellow Cards: Harkness

Red Card: Harkness (57)

Ref: J Fairley

A late collapse from Dalbeattie Star saw them fall to a hefty defeat but for long spells it looked like they would take something from the match. Home striker Thomas Orr was shown a straight red card on the half hour when he caught Dylan Woods in the face with a flailing elbow and though the opening half ended goalless both sides had good chances to score. The start of the second period saw Star make use of their numerical advantage but they could not break through a resolute home defence. A triple substitution from home manager Stevie Farewll turned the game in his sides favour and in the 69th minute one of those subs, Kristopher Kerr broke the deadlock with a very sharp finish.  Two goals in a couple of minutes late on killed the game as a contest as Ian McShane and Max Kerr sealed the points. Thfourth goal arrived in stoppage time when the lively Broque Watson fired home after a cut back.

Next week Star are on the road again but this time on cup duty as we face Newtongrange Star in the SFA South Region Challenge Cup.

JOHNSTONE BURGH 4                                         DALBEATTIE STAR 0                                                                                         

K Kerr (69)                                                           

McShane (80)

M Kerr (82)

Watson (90+3)                                                      HT 0-0   Att.                                                

JOHNSTONE BURGH: Long, Williamson (Faulds 59), Murphy, Barrowman, Durnan (Forrester 63), Esplin(C) (K.Kerr 59), Watson, McDonald (M.Kerr 59), Orr, McShane, Mason.

Subs not used: Nosa, King, Scullion

Yellow Cards: Murphy, McShane

Red Card: Orr (31)

DALBEATTIE STAR: McIlvaney, Muir, Suleyman (Downie 75), Higgins(C), Harkness, D.Taylor, Hunter, McConnell (Wan 82), Paterson, Woods, Kalala (Oguama 71).

Subs not used: Barney, Shaw, R.Taylor, Mitchell

Yellow Cards: Harkness, Muir

Ref:C McLaughlin

Star came so close to securing their first win of the season but were denied by a bizarre late own goal that just about sums up the kind of luck they have endured so far. A corner from the home side took a couple of deflection off Star defenders before somehow finding the back of the net. So the Islecroft side had to eventually settle for their first point of the campaign and this is certainly something they can build on.

They trailed at half time in this match thanks to a Daniel Hatfield effort midway through the half but a quick start to the second period saw them score through Gravine Kalala and Kyle Higgins to turn the match on its head. Unfortunately they were uanble to hold on to the lead but the spirit in the camp is good and they can take this forward to the next match away to Johnstone Burgh.

CUMBERNAULD COLTS 2                                  DALBEATTIE STAR 2                                                                                         

Hatfield (22)                                                          Kalala (50)

D Taylor og (82)                                                   Higgins (62)

                                                                                     HT 1-0   Att.

CUMBERNAULD COLTS: Wilson, Fernie, Hynd, Home, Walker, Semple, Brown (Osemeke 71), Stevenson (Devlin 83), McLaughlin, Freel (McDonald 8) (McMillan 71), Hatfield (Howe 71)

Subs: Kearney, Mann

Yellow Cards: Semple

DALBEATTIE STAR: McIlvaney, Muir, Suleyman (Downie 72), HIggins, Harkness, D Taylor, Kalala, Armstrong (Woods 63), Paterson (Shaw 83), McConnell (Barney 83), Hunter (Weir 63)

Subs not used: Trialist, R Taylor

Yellow Cards: Downie

Ref: J Wilkie

The current Lowland League West table makes for pretty grim ready for those of a Dalbeattie Star persuasion but it surely has to be taken in context. It reads four defeats in four matches, though thankfully the goal duck has now been broken because of Kyle Higgins' sensational second half free kick against Celtic B. However the four matches were against the four sides currently occupying the top four places in the league and in each Star had some more than decent moments during the match, though a couple ended in hefty defeats.

Star went into this match missing a number of first team regulars but the team could not be faulted for their efforts against a talented side. Conditions were perfect which suited the visitors down to the ground and they certainly relished the opportunity to put on a show. They were quick, sharp and totally relentless for the complete 90 minutes. Star though worked so hard to keep their shape and deny the young bhoys the openings they craved. The first chance came in the 5th minute when the ball broke to Liam Kennedy inside the Star box and his shot smacked off keeper Michael McIlvaney's right hand post. Star continued to frustrate their opponent but the deadlock was eventually broken midway through the half when a number of passes created an opening that allowed Conor Daly to go through and he slipped the ball past the advancing McIlvaney and into the net. Just after the half hour Celtic doubled their lead  much to the annoyance of the home side. A ball was played through to Lucas Clearie who was clearly in an offside position and with the assistant about to raise his flag, the striker left the ball to the onside Francis Turley who went through and coolly rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the empty net. It was a blow to Star but you couldn't deny the visitors were deserving of their two goal advantage.

As an attacking force Star's forays into the Celtic penalty area were limited though they forced a couple of corners which were well cleared. A free kick from the right found Stevie Harkness on his own beyond the back post and the big defender went for a header back across goal when he may have had time to take a touch and have an effort on goal. The half time whistle came with Celtic B  two goals to the good but everyone knew one goal for the Star would change the whole complexion of the match. We didn't have long to wait for the third goal and unfortunately for Star it was Celtic that scored it within seconds of the re-start when the home defence was cut open and Lucas Clearie has the simplest of tasks of putting the ball into the net. In the 55th minute Kylan Hunter went close for Star when his low drive was saved by the left boot of Celtic keeper Corey Shaw and the Glasgow side immediately broke away and again Clearie was in the right place to score to make it 4-0. For Star it was now a question of whether they could score what would not just be a consolation goal, but also their first of the season. That moment came in the 74th minute and it came in spectacular fashion. Substitute Godspower Oguama was clipped more than 20 yards from goal and up stepped Kyle HIggins to find the back of the match with a superbly struck free kick that gave Shaw no chance in the Celtic goal. Star then had their best spell in the match and they enjoyed some good possession, Shaw was called into action again when he saved well from Conor Barney. The final word would go to the visitors though and in the 81st minute the scoring was completed when a ball over the top was collected by Calvin Keenan and his low right foot shot across goal sneaked inside the far post.

So another defeat for Star but again the players could not be faulted for their efforts against a young and talented opponent. We now face a run of three away games in a row, two in the league and one in the SFA South Region Challenge Cup and wouldn't it be good if we were to collect our first point or points of the season next week at Broadwood when we face Cumbernauld Colts.  

DALBEATTIE STAR 1                                             CELTIC B 5                                            

Higgins (74)                                                           C Daly (23)

                                                                                    Turley (31)

                                                                                     Clearie (46, 55)

                                                                                     Keenan (81)

                                                                                    HT 0-2   Att. 257

DALBEATTIE STAR: McIlvaney, Muir, Suleyman (Barney 71), HIggins, Harkness, D Taylor, Kalala (Armstrong 57), McConnell, Shaw (Oguama 71), Downie (Dillon 57), Hunter  (Wright 84)

Subs not used: R Taylor, Mitchell

Yellow Cards: Muir, Armstrong, Harkness

CELTIC B: Shaw, Dembele, Haney, Cameron, Sedwell, Kennedy, Dargie (Anderson 65), Turley (K Daly 58), Clearie (Watt 74), C Daly (Meechan 58), Obidiwe (Keenan 65)

Subs: Lyall, English

Yellow Cards: K Daly

Ref: E Birch

Star slipped to the bottom, of the Lowland League West after they fell to a narrow defeat away to leaders Largs Thistle. Yet again Star were highly competitive in the match but they lost to a fine volley from Liam McVey just after the half hour. The home side had most of the play but Star dug in deep and were right in the match up until the final whistle but they could not create the clearcut chance that may have given them an equaliser. The closest they came was in the final minute when Kylan Hunter was denied by home keeper George O'Connor,

Next up is Celtic B who visit Islecroft on Saturday as Star continue to look for their first goal and point.

LARGS THISTLE 1                                                  DALBEATTIE STAR 0                                           

McVey (33)                                                                               

                                                                                    HT 1-0   Att.

LARGS THISTLE: O'Connor, McMaster, Brady, McVey, Martin (McLeod 73), Sewell, Stracey (Gilmour 73), Lapsley, Aird, Little, Rodger

Subs not used: Hughes, Bradley, Forbes, Leitch, Strain

Yellow Cards: None

DALBEATTIE STAR: McIlvaney, Muir, Suleyman (Harkness 74), Higgins, McConnell, D Taylor, Carmichael, Woods (Armstrong 46), Oguama (Paterson 56), Kalala (Wright 56), Hunter

Subs not used: Barney, Weir, Mitchell

Yellow Cards: McConnell, Higgins

Ref: L Barnie

Dalbeattie Star remain pointless after two matches in this season’s Lowland League West, but this latest outing against Pollok offered far more encouragement than the bare scoreline suggests. Seven days on from the heavy six‑goal defeat at Auchinleck,  a result that understandably stung players and supporters alike, Star produced a display of far greater organisation, belief, and competitive edge. They pushed the league leaders all the way, matching them stride for stride for long spells, and showing the kind of resilience that will surely serve them well as the campaign unfolds. The improvement was clear to anyone watching: the tempo was higher, the pressing more coordinated, and the overall confidence noticeably restored. Unfortunately, despite all of that, it still wasn’t quite enough to secure their first points of the season.

If last week’s early penalty concession felt like a cruel blow, this week’s came even quicker. Star had barely settled into their defensive shape when Pollok earned a corner, and from the resulting set piece the ball was cut back to the edge of the area. As Kyle Higgins sprinted out to close down the shot, the ball struck his arm, an incident that looked harsh on the Star skipper, who had little time or space to react. The referee pointed to the spot after only a minute of play, leaving Higgins once again the unlucky culprit. Ethan Mitchell guessed correctly, diving the right way, but Lee Gallacher’s penalty was struck with enough power and precision to find the net despite the keeper’s efforts.

For the home support, it was a moment that might have triggered unwelcome memories of last week’s early collapse. Yet full credit must go to the players, who responded with admirable determination rather than deflation. Instead of retreating into their shell, Star pushed forward bravely, taking the game to a Pollok side widely expected to be among the title challengers come the end of the season. The midfield worked tirelessly to disrupt Pollok’s rhythm, and the front line carved out some promising openings. In fact, Star created as many clear chances than their visitors, showing a level of attacking intent that had been missing in the previous fixture.

When opportunities arise though, they must be taken, and this was one of those afternoons when the ball simply refused to fall kindly inside the penalty area. On the rare occasions it did, Pollok’s defence somehow managed to produce a last‑ditch block or a perfectly timed interception. Star’s build‑up play was encouraging yet the decisive touch continued to elude them. It was a performance full of endeavour but lacking the moment of luck or clinical finishing that might have changed the complexion of the match entirely.

As the second half wore on, Star grew increasingly confident that an equaliser was within reach. They pushed bodies forward, committing to the attack with a sense of urgency and belief that lifted the crowd. Pollok, for the first time in the match, looked slightly rattled as Star forced them deeper and deeper. The home side’s energy levels remained high, and there was a genuine feeling around the ground that a breakthrough was coming.

But with just two minutes remaining, a lofted ball forward found Liam McGonigle. His first touch was excellent, cushioning the ball into his stride, and with Mitchell rushing out to narrow the angle, McGonigle calmly poked the ball past him for a well‑taken goal. It was a finish of real composure, and it extinguished Star’s hopes of salvaging a point from a performance that had deserved more.

So Star remain in search of both their first point and their first goal of the new season. Next up is a trip to Largs, another side who have started the campaign brightly and will pose a stern challenge. Yet if Star can reproduce this level of performance on a consistent basis, the organisation, the work rate, the bravery in possession, then the results will surely come. There were genuine signs of progress here and the attitude and improvement on display suggest that better days are not far away.

DALBEATTIE STAR 0                                             POLLOK 2

                                                                                    Gallacher (2pen)

                                                                                    McGonigle (88)

                                                                                    HT 0-1   Att. 220

DALBEATTIE STAR: Mitchell, Muir (Harkness 78), Woods, Higgins, McConnell (Weir 78), D Taylor, Kalala, Armstrong (Downie 60), Oguama (Shaw 78), Paterson (Carmichael 70), Hunter

Subs not used: Suleyman, McIlvanery

Yellow Cards: Muir, Oguama

POLLOK: McAlister, Walsh, Doran, McLaughlin, Trialist, Leyden (Boyle 46), Cameron (Millerick 76), Gallacher, Watt (O'Rourke 76), McGonigle, McCann (McHugh 57)

Subs not used: Dachnowicz

Yellow Cards: McGonigle, Boyle

Ref: C Livingstone

Photos courtesy of Bobby Geddes

Star's brand new adventure in the Lowland League West began with a hefty defeat to one of the favourites for the title. Whilst many would not have been surprised at the loss, but the size of the defeat was nonetheless disappointing. Star began the match brightly on a perfect playing surface and in the 4th minute Aaron Weir almost made it a scoring debut but he was denied by a brilliant goal line clearance and two minutes later Kylan Hunter saw his thumping drive from 20 yards fly narrowly over the bar. The visitors had settled into the match well but it all fell apart when they conceded three goals in a  horror nine minute spell. Firstly they gave away a penalty which was converted by Luke Main and soon after some slack play allowed Austin Sime to double the lead. In the 18th minute Terek Abed broke clear, rounded keeper Ethan Mitchell to roll in number three.

It was fast turning into a nightmare for Star but they managed to stop the bleeding for most of the remainder of the half though the home side added a fourth, minutes from the break when Weir knocked the ball into his own net, but to be fair to the midfielder had he not gone for the ball it would have been a simple tap in to a Talbot forward. Come the break the visitors were somewhat in a state of shock as they found themselves four down and not having played that badly. They had simply been overpowered by the strength and pace of the home side especially in the final third.

Star came out for the second half and made a couple of changes which showed there was no thought of damage limitation and parking the bus, as they came out with a more attacking line up than they had in the first. However it only took four minutes for Talbot to add a fifth when Abed drilled the ball home from the edge of the box. Despite Star's best efforts the home side piled on the pressure and only added one more when Abed completed his hat-trick in the 64th minute. Star had a couple of chances late on to at least get themselves on the scoreboard but Kyle Higgins saw his goal bound shot blocked by a defender and David Taylor volleyed a good chance from a free kick, inches wide from close range.

So a disappointing start to the campaign but there is no time to feel sorry for ourselves. There is plenty of ability in the squad and they will be doubly determined to get some points on the board when Pollok come to Islecroft in what will be another physically demanding match.

AUCHINLECK TALBOT 6                                     DALBEATTIE STAR 0

Main (9pen)

Sime (14)

Abed (18, 49, 64)

Weir og (43)                                                           HT 4-0   Att. 391

AUCHINLECK TALBOT: Ecrepont, Wood, Sime, Boyd (Clocherty 71), L Gillies, Main, Clark (Thomson 65), Abed (J Gillies 65), Brew (Galasso 46), Crooks (McAvoy 71), Maguire

Subs not used: Schoneville, Kerr

Yellow Cards: Clark

DALBEATTIE STAR: Mitchell, Muir, Woods, Higgins, McConnell, D Taylor, Carmichael (Oguama 53), Downie (Kalala 46), Paterson, Weir (Armstrong 46), Hunter (Barney 80)

Subs not used: Shaw, Suleyman, McIlvaney

Yellow Cards: Oguama, Taylor

Ref: E Birch

A more familiar looking Star side ran out comfortable winners against the new South League side Saltire City with goals from trialist, Gravine Kalala, Kylan Hunter(2), Reece Paterson (2) and another trialist.

A Star side loaded with a number of trialists begin their pre-season matches with a heavy home defeat. Reece Paterson scored Star's only goal on the half hour with a fine header.