Mids run Lochar close

AFTER a bruising defeat in their previous fixture away to Stirling University, and a 7-0 loss the last time they played, current South title holders Lochar Thistle, Mids showed a lot more resilience on Saturday when they took on unbeaten, third placed Lochar at New King Edward Park in a league match. Mids again gave away an early goal in the 12th minute but hit back three minutes later when a great run by Jordan Harley, followed by a neat penalty box dummy, found Luke Hammond who fired in a beauty for the goal of the match. Mids, however, could not hold on for long and four minutes later Lochar were back in front. The game then settled from its frenetic start with the Lockerbie boys competing well with their loftier opponents. The highlight for the rest of the half was a terrific penalty save from young Mids keeper Ciaran Boyes after a very dubious penalty decision. The second half was fairly even up until the hour mark when goalscorer Hammond turned provider with a cross which Darren Monteith dispatched to put the Mids on level terms but, once again, the Lockerbie side could not consolidate. Two minutes later a free kick deceived everybody in the Mids defence to put Lochar back in front at 3-2. Mids battled right up to the final whistle, they even had chances to equalise but just could not apply the finishing touch. Lochar then got another goal in injury time to make the final score 4-2. A big improvement on recent performances finds the Mids looking forward to next week’s derby against near neighbours Lochmaben at Lockerbie, kick off is at 2 pm. Darren Monteith was adjudged the Mids man of the match for a stirring, battling display upfront, coupled with his well taken goal. Elsewhere, Lochmaben shared the spoils at Whitehills Park after playing out a 2-2 draw with Creetown. The Burgh went in a goal down at the break, but they overturned the scoreline in the second half thanks to strikes from Denver Milligan and Jamie Daniels, who fired a 30 effort into the top corner. Just when it looked the Burgh would secure their second win of the season, Creetown snatched a point after equalising in the 92nd minute.