Sides serve up festive cracker

ANNAN and Stranraer shared the spoils at Galabank last Saturday in a Dumfries and Galloway League Two derby clash. The hosts made the best possible start when Myles Gaffney flicked home a Josh Todd cross with his heel inside the first minute. Wullie Gibson then forced Blues stopper Josh Lane to make a save after he shot from distance. And Athletic defender Keith Watson came close with a volley inside the box. Stranraer full back Evan Dunne would soon be wondering how he failed to score at the back post from a corner kick on 16 minutes. His header fell wide. Three minutes later the visitors had a way back in to the contest after being awarded a spot kick. It should have been a standard catch for Athletic goalie Gio Clarke. But he fumbled the ball and pulled the loitering James Dolan to the ground. Blues captain Mark Russell stepped up to dispatch the ball into the top right corner. Stranraer then enjoyed a spell on top. Dunne’s powerful effort was blocked by Aidan Smith. From the following corner the same man’s header bounced off the top of the crossbar. However, on 34 minutes, Annan restored their lead after getting back into the game. Gibson’s corner reached Aidan Smith at the back post, and he nodded home from close range. Three minutes later it was 2-2. The ball fell to visiting forward Deryn Lang, and he made no mistake from just inside the box. Stranraer could have snatched a half time lead when Russell’s fierce 20 yard curler was tipped just over by Clarke. There were no takers for Aidan Smith’s cut back in 55 minutes after a great passing move by the home side. Things were back and forward for the next period without either team creating. It was not until the 71st minute when Annan should have taken the lead again. Ryan Muir’s deep cross was straight to Smith at the back post, but he hit the ball back across goal instead of on target. Immediately after, at the other end, Dominic Plank cut inside from the right and forced the Annan defence into action. It was end-to-end stuff as Athletic sub Zander Craik then saw his driven volley blocked. Visiting centre back Scot Rough must have thought he had scored his header from point blank range, only for Annan to block. A minute later Aidan Smith could not believe it as Josh Lane produced an incredible stop to keep his header out. Lane then made another good save to deny Maxwell’s headed effort. The healthy crowd were stunned by the goalkeeper’s heroics which led to both sides taking a point.