Hurst pounces to win the points for Doune in topsy-turvy derby
DOUNE CASTLE ....................... 5 CALLANDER THISTLE ............. 4
Robbie Hurst was the Doune hero, netting the winner deep in added time, by pouncing on the rebound after Alan Inglis’ penalty was parried by Thistle keeper Joe Ghattas.
It was tough luck on Callander who came back from losing two early goals to level at 4-4 midway through the second half.
But it was Hurst’s strike in the 94th minute which claimed the three Caledonian League points for the home side when he was first to react after Ghattas saved Inglis’ spot-kick.
Callander missed an early opportunity before Doune took the lead on seven minutes. From 16 yards, Sean Wilbert turned smartly to place a controlled, angled shot back across goal and into the far corner for 1-0 after good work from Inglis.
Five minutes later it was 2-0 when Wilbert reached Ross Macfarlane’s testing cross ahead of Ghattas to loop a header high into the net.
Callander hit back and Castle keeper Callum Davison made a remarkable save, palming over a powerful 14-yard half volley before the visitors made it 2-1 after 27 minutes as Campbell’s angled effort eluded everyone and nestled in the far corner.
Wilbert’s subtle dink over the keeper almost crept in but it slipped narrowly wide and Doune went in 2-1 up at the break.
Thistle equalised after 53 minutes when Stevenson cut in from the right and his speculative cross deceived Davison and flew into the top corner.
But less than a minute later, Doune were back in the lead. David Innes curled an enticing ball into the box and Andrew Gibson got the slightest of touches with his head - enough to divert it past Ghattas and into the empty net.
Back came Callander with the third goal in as many minutes as Campbell’s angled drive across goal ended up in the far corner for 3-3.
The game settled down for all of seven minutes before Castle moved 4-3 ahead.
Jonny Coubrough threaded a great ball through the middle to send Wilbert through oneon-one with Ghattas and from 25 yards out, Wilbert showed real composure to nudge the ball over the advancing keeper for his hat-trick.
To their obvious frustration, once more Doune squandered the lead within a minute when they conceded what looked like an avoidable penalty. Orr blasted the spot kick high into the net for 4-4.
Both sides created openings in a tense last 15 minutes.
With the clock showing 90 minutes, Doune missed what looked to be the game’s last chance when Inglis cushioned a deft header over the advancing Ghattas which slipped inches over the bar.
The winner came in the 94th minute.
Lukasz Duszynski was sent crashing to the floor for an uncontested spot kick. Inglis struck the penalty well but Ghattas dived to push the ball away.
Robbie Hurst reacted quickest and burst into the box to smash the ball wide of Ghattas to give Doune a dramatic 5-4 victory.
Doune Castle: Davison, Macfarlane, Coubrough, Duncanson, D Innes, Gibson (Duszynski),Wilbert, McClymont (Meldrum), Hurst, Sweeney (A Innes), Substitute: Tully