Stranraer challenge match a success
SUNDAY 8th August saw the return to Stair Park for some of Stranraer Football Club's former players.
Strabraer Challenge match successFollowing on from the very successful exhibition and social night held earlier in the year, a challenge match was arranged for former players of the club aged fifty and over, against a South of Scotland select side also over fifty. Surprisingly some of the Stranraer players had to be introduced to each other as the years had changed the look of most. Both teams had a squad of fifteen players and agreed to use everyone at some stage of the game on a roll on roll off situation. The game started quite lively in front of almost one hundred spectators, who quite rightly had doubts of the pace lasting throughout the ninety minutes.
The select team took the lead through McLeish who lofted the ball over the Stranraer goalkeeper Eric Houston. Shortly afterwards Dougie Houston for the South side doubled their score with a similar goal. At the other end chances were made for the Stranraer team. First of all, Gordon Hyslop hit the bar, then Jim Mitchell, Ronnie Calderwood and Derek Frye shot wide of the goals, before another Hyslop effort hit the post and came back out. From memory these guys would have scored with ease, and, `yes boys the goals are still the same size`. Two down at the break but the local team had given a good account of themselves. Into the second half and the visitors added to their tally, with further goals from McLeish, David Clachrie and Houston again. Towards the end Stranraer, centre half Tom Ford had a mazy run beating four opponents won a corner, when the ball came over it broke to Ian Niven who forced it over the line, just like he did a number of years ago. Mitchell for Stranraer then fired home from the edge of the box to end the scoring at 5-2 to the visitors. All the players enjoyed the game and it is hoped further games will take place and it is also hoped new faces will come forward to take part. The two teams would like to thank Stranraer Football Club, not only did the club allow the game to take part on Stair Park which meant so much to the players, they also provided the home strip and refreshments after the game, with Jean Hannah providing the welcome buffet after the match free of charge. Finally a big thanks to referee Wullie McKnight, whose task was made easier because of the relaxed nature of the game. A view shared by Wullie himself who joined in the banter throughout the game.
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Weather for Newton Stewart
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South
