Dalbeattie Star 2

Gala Fairydean Rovers 0

Graeme McIver at Islecroft Stadium

STEVEN Noble’s patched up side found it hard going on a heavy pitch in Dalbeattie on Saturday as two first half goals earned the third placed home side the points in this Lowland League clash.

Injury and suspensions have ravaged the Fairydean Rovers squad and manager Noble handed a place in his starting line up to 18 year old Lewis White who was signed from Rangers on a development loan that morning.

He was also forced into fielding one or two players who had not fully recovered from knocks sustained during the 4-2 derby victory over Vale of Leithen the previous Wednesday night.

The young Rangers left-back helped create the visitors first chance of the afternoon after just 90 seconds when he burst down the wing and centred for Darren Smith.

The former Airdrie man connected well with the ball but his effort flew straight at home keeper Vinnie Parker.

The young loanee was again involved in a neat passing move that led to Des Sutherland firing just wide of the post.

The experienced Gala forward then tested Parker on 10 minutes with a shot that the keeper managed to turn round the post.

From then on the home side began to take control of the game and adapted better to the difficult conditions.

On 23 minutes they took a deserved lead following a period of pin ball in the Fairydean Rovers penalty area.

Lewis Sloan played a clever corner to the edge of the area where Slattery fired the ball goalward only for it to deflect into the air.

The visitors managed to block at least two attempts before the ball fell kindly for Slattery to fire the home side in front.

Just after the half hour Danny Simpson came close to an equaliser when Stuart Noble did well to win the ball on the edge of the area. The Lauder man’s quick shot flew just over Parker’s bar.

The visitors would rue their missed chances when Star managed to double their lead on 42 minutes.

Ross Aitchison was adjudged to have barged goal-scorer Joe Slattery in the box and up stepped James Batty to send Kieran Wright the wrong way.

The game’s most contentious moment occurred just a minute later.

Referee Drew Kirkland waved away appeals from the home side for a penalty after Lewis Sloan claimed he was pushed in the back. As he and Gala midfielder Darren Smith rose from the ground the Dalbeattie forward kicked out at the Gala player and looked set for an early bath.

However the referee brandished only a yellow card.

The home side continued to enjoy the majority of the play and the chances after the interval.

On 50 minutes the Gala keeper Kieran Wright was forced to make a great save with his foot to stop a certain goal by Degnan before Lee Stephen made a goal saving block from Sloan.

Noble tried to introduce a new urgency to his team by bringing on Shane Bonnington and new signing from Gala Hotspur Sean Pringle but the visitors just could not find their cutting edge and it was Darren Kerr’s home side that continued to make the better chances.

On 81 minutes Tommy Muir fired narrowly over and on 83 Lee Stephen once again had to be alert to clear the ball off the line following a corner.

A disappointed Steven Noble accepted that his side had been second best on the day.

He said: “The better team won the game in difficult conditions.

"We struggled to get our passing game going and Star showed why they sit in third place in the Lowland League. We have a free Saturday coming up which gives us some breathing space to get some players back and fit again after what’s been a difficult period for us.

"We’ve played three tough games in a row against Spartans, Vale and Dalbeattie and managed to emerge with six points from nine which gives us encouragement for the rest of the season.”

Gala Fairydean Rovers: Wright, Stephen, Aitchison, White, Windram, Bonnar (Bonnington 70), Smith, Watson, Noble, Sutherland, Simpson (Pringle 70 ) Sub not used: Common