Gretna FC (2008) 2 Dalbeattie Star 0

Gretna FC (2008).   2 (1)

D.Addison, S.Milligan

Dalbeattie Star.        0 (0)

The home side were first to threaten with Brandon Longcake trying his luck from distance, but his shot was well wide of the target.

Early pressure by Gretna earned them a corner in the eighth minute unfortunately Connor Graham's delivery was not up to standard and the danger was easily cleared.

In the tenth minute Star's keeper pulled off a great save denying Longcake from 25 yards, turning the ball round the post for a corner to the home side.

Star were second best for most of the opening period with Danny Graham keeping Lewis Sloan from getting too much possession.

A mistake by Gretna fullback Greg Thorburn let Sloan through on goal but his looping shot was easily taken by Murray on the goal line.

The home side were awarded a free kick just inside the Star half In the 30th.minute. Addison stepped forward and launched the ball towards the Dalbeattie goal where keeper Drysdale totally misjudged the flight and the ball ended up in the net, 1-0.

The Star keeper redeemed himself in the 35th.minute when he dived full length to deny Alan Inglis' 35 yard right footed strike by turning it round the post for a corner.

Minutes later Star's Wells wasted a good opportunity to get his side back on level terms when he connected with a corner on the edge of the area but the Dalbeattie strikers shot ended high up in the stand behind the goal.

Gretna forward Iain Anderson going through a barren spell at the moment again failed in front of goal as Longcake set up a golden opportunity only for the big forward to misdirect his header.

Let off for the home side as Jack Steele reached a Liam Park cross at the near post only for the ball to come crashing back off the upright with Murray a spectator. Just before the break Anderson fails to score as he fires wildly over from the edge of area. H/T 1-0.

Gretna started the second half looking for the vital second goal but after two corners Star pushed upfield trying to get Sloan in behind the home defence. Any chances Star created were easily dealt with by Murray in the Gretna goal.

Connor Graham and Scott Milligan were linking up well and produced one or two chances but nothing on target. The home side were awarded a free kick in the 60th.minute just inside the Star half, Dean Rea found Longcake on the right side of the area where he managed to curl a marvellous cross to the back post for Milligan to hammer the ball into the roof of the net from inside the six yard box, 2-0.

Rea almost made it three but Drysdale was quick to turn the ball over the bar. Play was end to end both sides failing to have any more goal scoring chances. In the 80th.minute Nick Cassidy replaced the injured Anderson, within a minute of coming on Cassidy almost scored had it not been for Drysdale saving at the foot of the post. In the final minutes Robson Halliday replaced Connor Graham. F/T 2-0.

Gretna FC (2008) : C.Murray, D.Graham, G.Thorburn, D.Rea, A.Inglis, D.Addison, B.Longcake, A.Main, I.Anderson, S.Milligan, C.Graham

Subs:

Dalbeattie Star : E.Drysdale, L.Todd,C.Neil, G.Anderson, H.Cameron, D.Dunglinson, L.Wells, J.Steele, G.Bell, L.Sloan, L.Park Subs : D.Muir, D.Kerr, J.Baxter.