Dryburgh title hopes fade after Thistle tie

LUKE Owens’ own goal dented Dryburgh CC U/16’s title hopes as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Dundee Thistle.

Owens had given Dryburgh a first-half lead but diverted Keiton Strachan’s free-kick past Cammy Grant in the second half.

Thistle’s 1-1 draw with Riverside the week previous had handed Dryburgh the initiative in the hunt for the W Mills League title, and Dryburgh CC manager Ian Grant was impressed with Thistle, who are unbeaten in 2018.

He said: “They have improved vastly since last season but I think a draw was a fair result.

“A lot of boys have come down from the top league to sign for clubs in our league, so it makes it more competitive.

“It’s a lot tougher this season than it was last year.”

Dryburgh had the better of the play in the first half, but clear-cut chances were few and far between.

Thomas Egan gathered Stuart Hoggan’s free kick at the second attempt before denying Paul Hutton.

The visitors opened the scoring six minutes before the interval through Owens.

Thistle failed to deal with Hoggan’s free kick from the left and the ball broke to Owens, who drilled a low shot past Egan.

Thistle came flying out the traps at the start of the second half. Liam Myles was denied the equaliser by Cammy Grant’s outstretched leg less than a minute after the restart.

The hosts did level the score when Strachan’s free kick was turned past Grant by Owens from close range.

Connell Fraser saw a half volley from 20 yards kept out by Grant before Ben Miller passed up the chance to win the game for Dryburgh.

The winger was played i n behind the Thistle defence but sliced his effort wide.

McAuley fired a shot from the left-hand side of the box narrowly wide, before Egan denied Miller with the last kick of the game, as both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Riverside U/16 capitalised on Dryburgh dropping points by beating Brechin 4-0. Callum Brand scored a hat-trick, and Jack Terroni also netted.

Fairmuir U/13s and Riverside U/13 will meet in the final of the Ross Ballantine Cup after wins over Pitfour and Montrose in their respective semi-finals.

Dryburgh CC U/16 (red) played-out a 1-1 draw with Dundee Thistle in the W Mills League at Claypotts on Sunday.

DUSC U/13 (tangerine) hammered Brechin 7-1 in the J Clenaghan League at Craigie 3G.

More action from Dryburgh U/16’s (red) league tie with Dundee Thistle at the weekend.

Fairmuir Violet U/19 (tangerine) strolled past Letham Tangerines 4-1 in a Presidents League clash at Graham Street (above, right).