Derby win keeps up Castle league hopes
Early goals set up the vital victory for Doune
CALLANDER THISTLE ......... 1 DOUNE CASTLE .................... 5
Despite a somewhat disjointed performance, Doune eased to a convincing derby win with their clinical finishing proving crucial.
They took the lead after only three minutes through Alan Inglis after Gavin Campbell and Robbie Hurst set hime up.
In 12 minutes it was 2-0.
Hurst curled a corner from the right to the back post area and Neil Mcrae connected unchallenged eight yards out to plant a strong downward header which deflected off a defender and bounced high into the net.
With half-time beckoning, Doune made it 3-0 with the best move of the half. The referee demonstrated fine use of the advantage rule, allowing Christopher Macdonald to continue his run despite a cynical attempt to bring him down. He switched play wide to Campbell and from his squared ball across goal. Hurst rammed a powerful first-time shot into the net.
Four minutes into the second half, Tam Nelson made it 4-0 with a towering header from a Macdonald corner.
The home side battled hard and Jack Wardrope forced a brilliant save from Callum Davison after 52 minutes before they pulled one back.
On the hour, Doune regained their four-goal cushion with another fine goal. Jamie Bone gathered wide on the left and passed to Macdonald and his cross was turned home by Lukasz Duszynski.
Doune used their substitutes to good effect in the game’s last half-hour and they ended the game with a greater sense of urgency. During that time, Callander’s only response was a direct free kick that Callum Davison saved comfortably.
Andrew Gibson with a raking 22-yard drive and Callum Smith with a header, both came close with good efforts as Doune finished the match comfortably on top.
Doune Castle: Davison, Gillespie, Mcrae, Nelson, D Innes (Brown), Hurst, Mcclymont (Gibson), Campbell (Bone), Duszynski (Macfarlane), Inglis, Macdonald (Smith)