Four red cards in fiery derby clash

Mid Annandale 2 Lochmaben 1 THE South of Scotland League Cup first round tie at New King Edward Park between old rivals Mids and Lochmaben did not produce the best football ever seen between the two, but Lockerbie’s largest crowd of the season did witness some explosive scenes towards the end of the match. The match started quietly enough with the home side on top in the opening exchanges. And Mids had a terrific opportunity to go in front on 13 minutes from the penalty spot after a foul inside the area, but Luke Hammond’s effort was at the right height for the Lochmaben keeper Thomas Cruickshank who managed to paw it away. Just after his heroics, however, the Lochmaben goalie blotted his copybook with a rash tackle on Jordan Harley and, as last man, received a straight red and headed for an early bath. The Lockerbie side failed to take full advantage of their extra man and, in fact, Lochmaben grew in stature and, on the stroke of half time, went in front after defensive errors from the home side. It was much of the same for most of the second half where the ball appeared to be a hot potato with passes going astray from both sides and Mids still unable to make any progress despite their extra man. But this changed when substitute Benji Wagner netted a timely equaliser on 79 mins to bring the sides level. At this point the match produced some ugly scenes when the Lochmaben substitute was sent off, players from both sides got involved, the outcome being the player in question having to be led off the park. Once the referee, who incidentally had a good match, restored order it was back to the football and in 87 mins the roof almost came off the stand when Jordan Harley won it for the Mids with an angled drive into the far corner off the net. Once again, on the final whistle however, mayhem ensued, when a harmless looking incident led to punches being thrown and, with other players joining in, Lochmaben received their third red card, followed by a sending off for the the Mids’ Luke Hammond. Mids held on for the victory which takes them into a quarter final tie against St Cuthbert Wanderers at Lockerbie on October 25. This Saturday the Lockerbie outfit head to Creetown for a League match.

Meanwhile, the Burgh entertain Stranraer Reserves at Whitehills Park, also in the league.