Dumfries and District Amateur Football League

Lochmaben made it three cup final wins in a row when they defeated Dynamo Star in the McQueen Trophies Tayleurian Cup played at Raydale Park, Gretna on Friday night.  With both teams known for playing decent football and with the big pitch at Gretna in tip-top condition all looked set for an exciting final. Supporters of both clubs were not dis-appointed as this was a cracker. The final scoreline of 4-1 did not reflect how tight this match really was.

Star created the first decent opening as early as the 2^nd minute when a Brian Dick shot was blocked and the ball fell to Gordon Tennant who fizzed a 20 yarder just over the bar. It was Lochmaben however, who opened the scoring in the 5^th minute.  Ross Kuklinski found Charles Common with a neat pass and the big striker who before the game was two goals short of a half century made no mistake when he sidefooted the ball over the head of Star keeper Grant Ireland. Star were opened up a few minutes later when Stefan Ramsay got free down the right and delivered an inch-perfect  cross but no-one managed to get onto the end of it.

Common was in the thick of the action again on the quarter hour this time with a driving run into the Star box, his square ball found no takers and was cleared for a corner.  It was from this set piece that Lochmaben increased their lead. Kuklinski  put a great ball in to the back post where captain Alan Maxwell was on hand to head home.  Common was in the action again when he headed over from 10 yards out after Sean Johnstone delivered a deep cross from the right.  Star then created a few chances of their own, Gordon Tennant had another long range effort before Craig Muir beat the offside trap only to see Craig Scobie make a fine save to deny him.

Star continued to press with attempts from Brian Dick and Gordon Tennant both going close.  Lochmaben threatened on the break but the star defence dealt with most of the attacks. Kirk Tweedie then had a great chance in the 36^th minute to pull a goal back for Star after a neat 1-2 saw him clear in the box with only Scobie to beat but the Lochmaben keeper was up to the task and produced the save of the match to maintain his side’s lead.  Scobie had to be on his toes again when Muir nearly caught him out with a long range effort.

In first half injury time Lochmaben had two chances to put the game away. The first came from veteran midfielder Colin Robson but he fired over from 15 yards out, the second saw Common rattle the bar with a vicious strike from 12 yards out.

The half ended with Lochmaben two goals to the good but in the final 10 minutes of the half saw Star push them all the way. The second half started with Star on the attack, Tweedie got free again but he pulled his shot wide.  Lochmaben wideman Keith Houston was put through by Gary White but the midfielder who was in a rich scoring vein failed to test the keeper as his shot hit the sidenetting. Common then did the same when it looked as if he would increase his side’s lead. Star turned the screw and there were some meaty challenges going in that kept the officials busy. Both Tweedie and Muir had attempts but failed to test the keeper.  Dick then saw his volley from the edge of the box well saved by Scobie.  Colin Tennant then had a great opportunity to get his side back into the game unfortunately he dithered and Russell Paisley made a great tackle to snuff out the chance. Star kept the pressure up and were rewarded with 15 minutes to go when Colin Tennant was pulled down in the box. The referee awarded the spot kick which was dispatched by Dick who calmly sidefooted the ball in.

Both sides were showing signs of tiredness and gaps started to appear all over the pitch. Star kept at it and Campbell Steele found space on the right but his cross was cut out. Gordon Tennant was on hand yet again to fire in a shot from outside the box.  Lochmaben brought on extra defensive cover with the game in the balance. The re-adjustments worked with Kuklinski getting more space wide on the right. With three minutes left Common put the match out of reach. A fine ball over the top saw the pacey striker run clear with only the keeper Ireland to beat, this time he made no mistake to grab his fiftieth goal of the season.  Kuklinski then made it four with virtually the last kick of the match when he blasted in from 6 yards out after a goalmouth scramble.

After the match league secretary Graham Lockhart thanked both teams for an exciting match and also thanked sponsor Morrell Mackenzie of McQueen Trophies. Chairman Maurice Sproat presented the medals to both teams with man of the match honours going to Ross Kuklinski of Lochmaben. The league would like to thank Gretna 2008 for their hospitality and for the use of the pitch which was in fine condition.

Man of the Match Ross Kuklinski with Charman Maurice Sproat

Lochmaben celebrate after the match.