Central League: Division 1

  Dunipace 2 - 0 Lesmahagow  

Having dropped 2 points from a winning position last weekend at Blantyre Dunipace reverted to a 3-5-2 formation for the visit of Lesmahagow, James Orr returning to the starting lineup with Mikey Kane dropping out.

And the hosts started the game brightly, defending a couple of early set piece threats well, while creating a few good chances at the same time chances. McIllduff having a good strike blocked by the defender and Wright shooting wide.

Passing the ball reasonably well, Dunipace always looked the most likely to open the scoring and they did so when Ryan McCafferty's shot from distance, having beaten 2 men to get into position, was fumbled over the line by the keeper.

Not one of the midfielders best strikes of a football with his left foot, but they all count.

And McCafferty looked to make it two only a few minutes later when more good passing between he, Rodger and McIllduff put him in a similar position 25 yards from goal. This time McCafferty curled a superb effort toward the top corner with his right, but the keeper this dived to his left and pulled off an excellent save to turn it round the post for a corner.

Having played 4-4-2 in the previous two games, Dunipace looked more comfortable all over the park in todays game and that was evident in the football played as well as the chances conceeded stakes. Meighan's only real involvement of the first half coming courtesy of an excellent save, albeit self inflicted!

With the ball rolling through harmlessly to the stopper he took a heavy touch and presented the ball to the forward. The veteran keeper did superbly though to recover the situation with a fine save.

And Dunipace should have extended their lead 10 minutes before half time when Tweedie sent a ball over from the right and Rodger headed over from 5 yards. And it wasn't to be Rodgers day as he picked up a yellow for a foul on the defender ony a couple of minutes later, though the referee wasn't going to show a card until the Lesmahagow players got involved with the striker.

Into the second half and Dunipace continued to be the better side, wthout really creating any clear cut chances. The closest they came an Oates run and cross from the right that, given the quality of the ball, really should have been a tap in for someone.

Duniace though did wrap up the points 20 minutes from the end. Kevin Mullen took the corner from the right and Gary MacMillan rose in front of the defenders to power a header beyond the keeper.

Dunipace were content to let the game fizzle out and never really looked like conceeding as they picked up their second home win of the season.

The most pleasing aspect of the afternoon being the first clean sheet in 8 games and the manner in which it was achieved, with the home goal never looking troubled all afternoon.

A welcome tonic for the Pace, who now have a week layoff before returning to league action on the 3rd of October when Thorniewood will be the visitors to Westfield