Match date: 14th of January 2023 Kickoff: 14.30 pm
Dunbar United 4 Kennoway Star Hearts FC 1
Top against bottom when Dunbar United entertained Kennoway Star Hearts on Saturday but the home side were well aware of any potential upset when they were reminded that their opponents won 1-0 on their last visit to New Countess Park in a League Cup match less than a year ago.
Gregor Goldie replaced Shaun Miller in the Dunbar starting eleven from last weekend’s win at Dunipace as the home side looked to preserve their unbeaten home League form.
Very blustery conditions were always going to be a big factor in the game which was played in front of a very healthy crowd on a bitterly cold afternoon, but it was the visitors who created the first chance within the opening minute when Dunbar’s Dean Whitson headed a shot off the line. Dunbar settled and they opened the scoring in the fifth minute when James Redpath scored directly from an in-swinging corner kick.
Six minutes later and the same player saw his cross from the left deflected for a corner which was cleared for a throw in and when the ball fell kindly for him at the edge of the box, Redpath curled a well struck left foot shot low into the corner of the net for his own second goal to make the score 2-0 to the hosts.
Redpath fired a free kick over the bar as Dunbar began to take control of the game but Kennoway’s young side were always dangerous on the break and were a bit unfortunate when Jake Grady slipped at the vital time as he broke clear into the Dunbar box.
Cammy Dawson went close from Bob Berry’s cross before Grady capitalised on a poor Dunbar pass but his shot went inches wide. Eight minutes before the break an inch perfect cross from Dean Whitson was controlled well by Bob Berry but his shot went high over the bar.
The Dunbar pressure paid dividends in their next attack when Gregor Goldie ran on to a through ball and calmly slotted the ball past the Kennoway keeper for his fifth goal since moving up from Dunbar United Under 20s side. The youngster almost made it two in two minutes when he flicked on a cross from Cammy Dawson but the Kennoway keeper denied him with a point blank save.
Dunbar were rampant now and Dean Whitson went close with a long range shot before they scored a fourth goal two minutes before the interval after Gregor Goldie did well to win the ball and his cross from the right fell nicely for Darren Handling who saw his first effort parried by Kyle Moran in the visitors goal before he picked his spot with the rebound to send Dunbar into a well deserved four goal lead.
Three minutes after the restart and a bit of controversy when Gregor Goldie was wiped out by the Kennoway keeper after his shot trickled past the post with the keeper picking up a caution for his trouble and young Goldie hobbling off injured to be replaced by Jonny Grotlin.
Kennoway went close on the hour mark when the ever dangerous Jake Grady cleverly chipped Shea Dowie in the Dunbar goal only to see the ball strike a post before being cleared to safety.
Three minutes later and the visitors pulled a goal back after Dean Whitson’s clearance took a wicked deflection leaving Jake Grady to stab home despite the best effort from Dunbar captain Grant Thomson.
Dunbar rang the changes making four substitutions in the next ten minutes and they soon began to take control again before they were awarded a penalty in the 79th minute when a Kennoway defender handled the ball on the goal line with his keeper beaten.
James Redpath stepped forward looking to achieve a rare hat trick but his shot was well saved by the Kennoway keeper to deny the Dunbar left back and keep the scoreline intact. Josh Walker shot inches wide and Johnny Edmond saw a cross saved by the Kennoway keeper as Dunbar saw out the remainder of the game and deservedly picked up another three League points to maintain their seven point lead at the top of the table.
Not the greatest performance in a game which was spoiled by the very blustery conditions but a well deserved three points for Dunbar against a young side who never gave up and probably belied their lowly League position.
A welcome break from League duties next Saturday when Dunbar United play Crossgates Primrose in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup Third Round match at New Countess Park, Dunbar with kick off again at 2.30pm.
Crossgates currently sit in third position in the East of Scotland Premier Division and hopefully with the help of a large home support this game will be a guide to how far Dunbar United have progressed in the last twelve months. Tickets for the match are now on sale via the club’s Fanbase app:
Dunbar United :- Shea Dowie, James Redpath, Michael McFarlane, Kerr Allan, Grant Thomson, Bob Berry, Cammy Dawson, Darren Handling, Fraser Neave, Gregor Goldie, Dean Whitson.
Substitutes :- Sean Brennan, Jonny Grotlin, Liam Gregory, Johnny Edmond, Josh Walker, Willis Hare, Aaron Congalton.
Kennoway Star Hearts FC :- Kyle Moran, Jay Watson, Ryan Lemetti, Harris Kay, Logan Young, Alan Higgins, Murray Black, Liam Gartshore, Jake Grady, Declan Nugent, Wilson Romanis.
Substitutes :- Kyle Stark, Ronnie McGill, Brooklyn Mair, Craig Doctor.
Referee :- Will Pare.
Match Report courtesy of Laurie Wood.
Photos by Dave Black, Gordon Maitland & Brian Thomson.
Mon the Seasiders!
