Dalbeattie Star recorded their first Lowland League win of the season in style on Saturday.
The Islecroft side defeated Berwick Rangers 3-1 at the end of a busy week that also saw them lose to Spartans and Gala Fairydean Rovers.
And as well as being Star’s first league win, it was also a first win for new boss Eddie Warwick following his arrival last month.
He said: “I’ve only been in 10 days and we’ve managed to get three points so we’re delighted. It was a great effort at the end of a busy week.
“A lot of teams are playing three games in seven days but we’re bottom of the league and struggling for performances and points as well as having players that need a bit of work but they’re definitely buying into it.
“We showed for 60 minutes against Gala we can play, now we’ve shown it against a team with a lot of experienced players and who should, with what they have on paper, be at the top end of the league.
“It’s a massive performance booster for the boys and a massive booster for ourselves that we can compete.
“We rode our luck a couple of times, as you do in any game. We had spells of possession, we attacked at the right time, we were clever and diligent in our work. We were well set up against what Berwick were going to bring. They had a change of shape but we concentrated on what we were going to do.
“It was a great performance and we were well worthy, it wasn’t a lucky win. A 3-1 scoreline suggests we deserved it.”
Star took an early lead when Liam Craig thumped home John Cumming’s cross.
Mason McCready was in inspired form in the home goal, denying Lewis Baker before doing superbly to keep out a Liam Buchanan header.
And his team-mates rewarded his good work when Steven Logan cracked home a fantastic shot to double Star’s advantage.
However, just before the break McCready was finally beaten by Buchanan as Berwick gave themselves some hope.
The English outfit dominated large sections of the second half but great defending and superb saves from McCready kept them at bay.
And in stoppage time Star secured victory when sub Scott Ballantyne found the net with a fantastic effort from the edge of the centre circle.
As well as a first win, Saturday also featured a debut for two new Star players.
Former Threave Rovers and Queen of the South player Ewan Gourlay has arrived while young Hamilton Accies forward Myles Gaffney has come in loan with Jack Currie leaving the club.
Warwick said: “I know Ewan from my time at Queen of the South.
“He was full-time with me there in the reserve programme where he was captain and then in the first team before Covid.
“He’s one I know very well and I know exactly what he’ll give.
“Myles worked tirelessly for us.
“I spoke to people at Hamilton I’m connected to, including the manager John Rankin, and watched a bit of footage to see if he’ll fit into our system.
“I know I’ll be judged in terms of recruitment. I’m trying to make Dalbeattie better, make the players better and improve the changing room. I think I’ve done that by bringing two players in who improve us and helped get a good win.”
Star will need to wait at least a few weeks to pick up their next league win as they now turn their focus to cup games, starting with the SFA South Region Challenge Cup clash with Abbey Vale this weekend.
“It’ll be a test of character, it’ll be physical and it’ll be totally different from a Lowland League game.”
