Creesiders suffer narrow defeat

NEWTON Stewart fell to just their second South of Scotland League defeat of the season at home to Lochar Thistle last weekend. The Creesiders battled hard but ended up losing 3-2 to the Dumfries outfit at Blairmount Park. In a cagey first half chances at both ends were limited, although Thistle defender Hugh Cameron did well to clear off the line following a Newton attack. Action in front of goal certainly arrived in the second half as five goals were scored in a 19 minute spell. Lochar struck first on 48 minutes when Lewis Todd found Finlay Kennedy who in turn released Robbie Ferguson who fired a 20 yard effort low into the bottom corner. Todd was the architect again as Lochar doubled their lead three minutes later. He laid his pass on a plate for Kennedy who fired home with the left foot. The home side then made a triple change to try and get back into the game. And it seemed to work as they came storming back with a goal after 59 minutes. The ball fell kindly for Marc Whyte who rifled past Konar Pietsch to cut Thistle’s lead in half. The home side kept the pressure on their opponents and Pietsch had to save well to preserve the lead, although the equaliser soon arrived on 66 minutes. A cross from the right was glanced home by Robert Middleton who grabbed himself a yard of space to head home. Newton’s joy was short lived, however, as Lochar went in front a minute after the kick off. A good attack saw Scott Milligan find Kennedy in the box. The midfielder was able to get his shot away and beat the keeper. Both teams were now threatening at either end but Lochar’s defence held firm. Elsewhere, Creetown came from behind to beat Mid Annandale 3-1 at New King Edward Park, Lockerbie. Drew Hale got one, while Tyler Rennie scored a brace for the Ferrytoun. And Stranraer Reserves came out on top following a closely contested game at home to Lochmaben. The Young Blues won 3-2 thanks to goals from Jay Gallacher, an own goal and Dean Fyfe. Last night Wigtown went up against St Cuthbert Wanderers in a league fixture at Blairmount Park. Tomorrow night the Reserves play Queen of the South U19 in a friendly at the Stuart Binnie Arena, KO at 7.45 pm. On Saturday Newton travel to Lochar in the league, Wigtown take on Dalbeattie in the Potts Cup, and Creetown host Mids in the Haig Gordon Trophy.