Hard fought cup tie for ‘Dale’s season’s starter
Carradale faced a tough test in their president’s cup match against Great Glasgow premier league side East Kilbride YM. A win was always going to be a tall order, against a side one league higher, but for nearly sixty minutes the McFadyens Transport sponsored ‘Dale battled hard and maintained a 1-1 score sheet, which showed how even the two teams seemed. Eventually though EKYM’s comfort and efficient movement of the ball proved a winning combination and in a short spell, between the hour mark and about 77 minutes, the visitors piled on the pressure and gained four goals. After 10 minutes a rash tackle saw 16-year-old Elliot Gemmill taken off. Ryan Blackstock, possibly the shortest man on the park, came on to score on virtually his first kick. ‘Dale were ahead and with some superb goal keeping, from man of the match Neil McMillan, managed to stay that way almost right through the first half. EKYM were constantly through in ‘Dale’s half and forced corner after corner till they scored from the left side with McMillan blind to the threat till it was too late. EKYM scored early in the second half and were awarded a penalty moments later to go 3-1 up. In a short spell ‘Dale took their eye off the ball and conceded a further two. Robert McGarrie in the unfamiliar left wing back began to work harder and at 5-1, after Johnny McCormick’s red card, with 10 men ‘Dale seemed revitalised. In no time Blackstock scored his second followed by a powerful ‘Dale third from a Maciej Romanowski long ball. There was no time left and despite desperate defending ‘Dale were unable to stop the East Kilbride outfit adding to their woes, with a sixth, in the closing minutes. It was a good natured encounter and both sides smiled as they shook hands. The team coach Hecor McMurchy and stand-in for manager, Nonnie Macalister away golfing in Portugal, was quietly encouraging and paced the sidelines with team tips. The match ball was sponsored by Neil Galbraith Electrical Services.