St Cuthbert Wanderers Football Club – Founded 1879

Recap

MATCH REPORT BY JAMIE BANKS

Saints won their first home game of the South of Scotland Football League season in style, recording a resounding 5-1 victory over Creetown.

A superb performance from Dale Milligan saw the striker grab 4 goals, sealing the victory for Saints on a sunny day at St Mary’s Park.

From the side that faced Newton Stewart on Wednesday night, there was only one change, out went Ross Hunter with Dale Milligan replacing him in the starting XI.

The game started competitively, as both teams battled to assert control. The first test at the back went the way of the visitors when Russell Williamson’s outstanding over the top ball found Ballantyne. His shot was well-blocked.

A Jake Gemmell double-save then denied the visitors in their first real chance of the game. A Creetown freekick found an opposition striker whose shot was well saved; before calling Gemmell into action again with the follow-up.

The deadlock was broken soon after, Thomas Kelly rose highest to redirect a pinpoint free-kick from Aidan Meechan past the Creetown keeper.

Kelly nearly added a second soon after, his shot parried away as Saints looked to double their advantage.

That failure to capitalise on the lead was then punished by the Ferrytoun, Creetown equalised through a curling effort into the top corner that gave Gemmell no chance.

Saints rebounded well to conceding and restored their lead with half-time looming. Another corner was whipped in and this time Milligan was the man on the spot to turn the ball home.

After the break, St Cuthbert Wanderers continued to press and could well have been out of sight soon after the interval. Milligan and Elliott Harris both with great opportunities to add to the lead but seeing their efforts fail to find the target.

With two big chances missed, the relief was clear to see in the Saints dugout when Williamson stole the ball off a Creetown defender before squaring a pass to the onrushing Milligan, who was able to guide the ball into the corner.

Milligan was celebrating again just minutes later, fed again by Williamson, he danced his way into the opposition box before dispatching a low driven strike into the back of the net making it 4-1.

With the commanding lead, Saints retained control of the game, carving out a late fourth of the day for Milligan. Jai Wilson, on as a substitute, chased down a long ball and hooked a cross to Milligan, the striker able to fire the ball through the gloves of the Creetown keeper.

Jordan Williamson’s men have now taken 7 points in as many days from their three matches to start the season. This week is another double-header, hosting Stranraer at home before making the trip to Lockerbie to face Mid-Annandale.