‘Dale’s set pieces sort a struggling Helensburgh

CARRADALE produced a fine five-goal winner and their first back-to-back victory for more than a year as they trounced Helensburgh at the weekend.

‘Dale stuck to the successful team which won the previous week with four subs available on the bench.

The team went on the offensive right from the whistle and was rewarded in the seventh minute when a clumsy challenge from the Helensburgh goalie took Gary Train off the tracks just outside the box.

It set up the Andrew Smith and Son-sponsored side’s first set piece free kick. David Johnstone’s ball fell to Joey Boyd whose back heal sneaked past a goalie who could not see what was happening.

Bullet

The Kintyre side did not have long to wait for a second. It came from a corner taken by Daniel Docherty. Train out jumped everyone to bullet the ball into the net.

It was all going ‘Dale’s way when they scored a third from a McIlroy free kick 35 yards from goal.

There was a deflection and the ball fell kindly to Train who scored from close range.

It was a game of off sides, with both defences playing a high line. Eventually Helensburgh made a breakthrough and their number eight, Ali Maule, chipped a ball over Neil McMillan’s head for a fine goal.

The game became a bit scrappy at the end of the first half.

At the start of the second half ‘Dale tried to break the offside trap and in the 49th minute, after a 30-yard run on the right, Docherty scored the goal of the match, a beautiful low shot into the net.

Carradale began to dominate play and the fifth goal, in the 69th minute, was not unexpected. From a free kick 40 yards from goal, the ball fell to Boyd who turned and flashed it into the net.

Six minutes later Helensburgh should have gained one back from a free kick which curled into the box, Maule headed it down but their number seven blasted the ball onto the crossbar.

Johnny McCormick came on as a sub for the last 20 minutes and set up Docherty for a sixth but it was blocked well by the keeper.

Man of the match was Daniel Docherty and the match ball was sponsored by Keith Jackson.

Tomorrow ‘Dale is away to United Glasgow in the quarter final of the Challenge Shield.

25_c08carradale02 Gregor Croll in action.

Gary Train heads to goal in the game against Helensburgh at the all-weather pitch last Saturday.

Gary bundles the ball into the net to score his first home goal for Carradale.

25_c08carradale04 Celebrations after the fifth goal.