Wigtown still remain in contention
THE weather was the winner once again in South football on Saturday with only two of the scheduled matches going ahead.
Trammondford Park where Wigtown and Bladnoch were due to play Stranraer was unplayable and their South of Scotland league match was switched to Stair Park.
Although giving away home advantage Wigtown managed to take the three points in a single-goal victory with Ross McCrindle finding the net ten minutes from the end of the match.
This keeps Wigtown in contention for the championship as they are now only five points behind the front two, Dalbeattie Star and Threave Rovers, though the Wigtownshire side have played one game fewer.
Stranraer manager Alan Hannah was gracious in defeat and said after the match; "They thoroughly deserved their win and although we did have some half-chances on goal, we didn't deserve to take anything from the game."
Crichton travelled to Sanquhar to play a rejuvenated Nithsdale Wanderers in the SFA South Regional Cup second round and recorded a very comfortable 5-0 victory to take them into the last eight of this competition.
Crichton went ahead after only three minutes play when striker Roman Soltys scored from the penalty spot after a handball in the box by a Nithsdale defender.
Ten minutes later Darren Johnstone put the visitors two goals ahead with a fierce header from a corner on the right and a minute later Davie Thomson had a chance to draw one back for the home side but his shot went wide.
On the half hour-mark Lee Malin's half volley was deflected off the head of Nithsdale's Colin Bell and past Jonathon Lopez in the home goal for goal number three.
This appeared to make the game safe for Crichton before the break though in the 36th minute Fraser McGarva had a good effort smothered on the line by Crichton keeper Tommy Muirhead.
In the first half Nithsdale had matched their visitors in every department except scoring goals but within five minutes of the re-start they were reduced to 10 men when Davie Thomson was red carded for dissent. Any chance of a recovery was thrown away.
Twenty minutes before the end, with the visitors very much in command, Lee True increased their lead to four with a cross-shot that deceived the keeper and found the net.
Keeper Lopez then had three superb saves in succession as Crichton turned the screw but he had no chance when the visitors went nap in the 72nd minute with Soltys scoring a very good goal with a header from a cross from the right to seal an emphatic victory.
A jubilant Crichton boss Jim Thompson said after the match: "They battled hard in the first half against us but my boys were excellent and I couldn't ask for better.
"They played some very good football and looked very professional in the way they played. There could have been even more goals in the second half when we threw everything at them.
"My back four in our new system played well although we had to change the defence a bit with some players being out.
"I've brought in some young players and it will take a wee bit of time but we'll get there.
"This was a great result though and I am really happy with everything about the game."
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Weather for Newton Stewart
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 0 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
