The South Challenge Cup
Lugar Boswell Thistle 0
Newton Stewart 5
Both teams started at a great pace and the match was a very even affair in the opening stages. The Creesiders opened the scoring in the 14th minute when a quick break found Marc Whyte through and he played a great pass to the onrushing Robbie Murray who smashed a superb effort home to give the visitors the early lead. An in swinging corner on the half hour mark was headed back across goal and the resulting shot fell kindly to Callum MacDonald who placed his glancing header into the far corner to double the visitors advantage. The Creesiders continued to play on the front foot and with seven minutes to go to the interval Aaron Drysdale took a great through ball in his stride before being up ended in the box and the Ref pointed straight to the spot. Robert Middleton composed himself and placed his effort wide of the keepers right to extend the visitors lead and give the Creesiders a commanding advantage at the break.
Lugar came out fired up and looking to get back into the match and for the opening twenty minutes it was a real battle between two very committed sides. Midway through the second period however a swift counter attack found Joe McMillan who lifted a precise pass over the home defence and Craig McCulloch took one sublime touch before firing a superb strike into the net and put the visitors further in front. As the game appeared to be reaching the closing stages drama came three minutes from time when the official , who appeared to be completely unsighted initially flashed two red cards , one for each team , for an off the ball argy bargy that warranted a yellow at worst for both players then from the restart the visitors broke upfield at pace and Robert Middleton won a challenge midway inside the Lugar half and the ball fell kindly to Joe McMillan who raced through before calmly side footing from 12 yards to cap a fantastic day all round for the Creesiders.
We would like to thank Lugar for a great game , for their post match hospitality and wish them all the very best for their season ahead.
Robbie Murray is sponsored by Alex Murray
Callum MacDonald is sponsored by Jack and Victor
Robert Middleton is sponsored by Matt Burton Electrical
Craig McCulloch is sponsored by Tommy McCulloch Electrician and Drew Murdoch
Joe McMillan is sponsored by West Coast Sea Products Ltd