Cumbernauld Colts to the four again

Cumbernauld Colts got back to winning ways with an excellent display as they defeated Dalbeattie Star 4-0 at Broadwood on Saturday.
Andy Selkirk knocks home the fourth goal for Colts against Dalbeattie StarrAndy Selkirk knocks home the fourth goal for Colts against Dalbeattie Starr
Andy Selkirk knocks home the fourth goal for Colts against Dalbeattie Starr

Colts went into the Lowland League match after successive league and cup defeats at Spartans but were determined to avoid suffering three losses in a row for the first time this season.

From the off the visitors struggled to adjust to the tempo with which the home side were both moving and pressing the ball.

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Stephen O’Neill and Blair Munn had efforts on goal from outside the area before an excellent move released Jonathan Black whose low effort was turned away by the Star ’keeper for a corner.

Black tested the handling of the ’keeper before Colts made the breakthrough after 20 minutes with a stunning goal.

Black pulled the ball back to Munn 25 yards out and the little midfielder nutmegged his opponent with his first touch on the right before firing a howitzer with his left into the ’keeper’s top corner.

Further efforts from O’Neill and Barclay kept the Star ’keeper on his toes before the visitors nearly managed to grab a spectacular equaliser, Fahey looking on helplessly as a 25-yard free-kick struck the underside of the bar and was cleared away by the Colts defence.

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Colts heeded the warning and doubled their lead when Munn crossed for Andy Hunter to head home from six yards.

Star came out strongly after the break and it took a couple of fine saves from Fahey in the home goal to keep the clean sheet intact.

But just before the hour mark Colts went three up with another fantastic goal as Hunter’s sublime first touch cushioned the ball beyond the defence for Black to smash home from six yards.

Scott Davidson volleyed wide from a good position and Michael Oliver brought out a save from the Star ’keeper as Colts looked to extend their lead.

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O’Neill fired a free kick inches wide from 25 yards before, with a little under 10 minutes remaining, Colts completed the scoring after yet another fine move involving Ross Ballantyne, Richard Kirwan and Jamie Broadfoot who released O’Neill on the left.

The covering defender was never going to catch O’Neill and when Colts’ top scorer forced a fine diving save low to the ’keeper’s left from 12 yards, substitute Andy Selkirk marked his return to action by following in like all good strikers to turn the ball home.

That rounded off an excellent win against a good Dalbeattie side who have enjoyed some good results of late.

The Broadwood men will hope that with their squad returning to fitness and competition fierce they can maintain this level in their remaining eight games as they push for as high a finish as possible in their debut Lowland League season.

Colts have a rearranged game away to Threave Rovers tonight (Wednesday) before taking on Stirling University at Broadwood on Saturday.