Central League: Division 1

  Dunipace 1 - 2 Craigmark  

Dunipace: Mullen (13)
Craigmark: Gaw (1), Aitken (10)

Match Report by Barry "Fabio" Rodger

Craigmark Burntonians have lost 6 of their last 7 league matches finding themselves rooted to the bottom of the Ayrshire District League and conceding 30 goals in the process. So its no wonder they were embracing a break from league duty in this New Coin Automatics West of Scotland Cup first round tie against Dunipace at Westfield Park.

On a sad week for the club after the passing of Pace legend Bert McNab, gaffer Craig McKinlay and Assistant Mick McCafferty were looking to throw last weeks performance against Greenock into room 101. They were however forced to reshuffle the side due to match suspensions for McIllduff and Cairney. A familiar face was brought back into the squad after a lengthy few months out of the game and Moodie & Sibbald were to be given their chance back in the starting eleven

The truth is, most Dunipace fans were anticipating a goal fest against Craigmark but were to leave Westfield Park dumfounded by a shambolic Dunipace performance.

It took just one minute for Dunipace to realise they were in for a tough day. The match had barely kicked off when, out of nothing, Craigmark midfielder Gaw rattled a 25 yard shot that flew high into the top corner of the goal, still rising and almost bursting the net in the process. Pace keeper McCurley had no chance but whether a Dunipace outfield player should have closed him down quicker or not is open for debate.

Craigmark were off to a flyer and continued to dominate for the next 10 mins with Dunipace's first real chance being a consequence of Marty Wrights good play down the right sending an acurate cross to Pincombe who neatly volleyed across the face of the goal for Moodie to slide in an hook a right foot shot saved by the Craigmark keeper Nicol. Unlucky for the big striker but even more unlucky that the keepers subsequent kick out caught Dunipace on the hop and allowed Craigmark striker Aitken clean through on goal to cutely lob the outcoming McCurley from 12 yards out. Two nil down after only 10 minutes and shades of the Greenock nightmare were beginning to reappear.

But Dunipace were to respond almost straight away when Sibbald sent a precision crossfield pass to Pincombe who had all the time in the world to pick his spot but got caught in two minds and smashed it straight at the keeper. Luckily for Pincombe, the keeper spilled his effort and Mullen was there to tap home from 4 yards out.

Craigmark picked up from where they left off with O'Conner, Aitken and Wallace causing real problems in the last third. McCurley had to be switched on to stop an O'Conner volley from the edge of the 18 yard box in the 18th minute. And it was Wallace's turn to try an audacious volley moments later when he narrowly fired past the right hand post. The worrying thing for Dunipace was that the chances were coming thick and fast.

Donald had a chance to level up the game fo Dunipace on 20 mins when he found himself in exactly the same position as Aitken was for the Craigmark second goal. The Pace midfielder though lacked the same kind of composure, over cooking his lob and aired it over Nicol for a bye kick from 12 yards out.

Moments later Craigmark's Wallace found himself in another great position coming in from the left hand side but he smashed his effort wide and into the side netting much to the relief of McCurley and his defenders. This was followed up by more good work from Aitken and Wallace who carved up another chance but this time Sibbald produced a great challenge and prevent Aitken executing his strike.

At the other end, good interlinked play from Moodie and Mullen resulted in a dangerous cross into the box but the Criagmark keeper stretched to parry it away before the incoming Pace cavalry had a chance to utilise it.

But it was only a matter of time before Craigmark regained full possesession and for the fourth time in the frst half a Craigmark player found himself clean through on goal but this time striker O'Conner curled it narrowly over the crossbar.

Then the chance Dunipace were waiting for, right on the stroke of half-time. Donald sent a precision cross into the box, Pincombe done well to create space but he headed wide of the left hand post from 6 yards out - probably catching it too well when anything else would have seen it hit the net. This was later followed up by good play from Brown down the right hand side to lay it off to Wright who's cross come shot marginally drifted wide of the post.

Half time 1v2 but there could so easily have been a handful of goals.

This was to be a game of one half with neither side really imposing themselves on the game for the next 45 mins.

The best chance was on 50 mins when Wright cleverly turned in the box and chipped into Moodie. The big striker had a half hearted effort saved by Nicol but what was more dissapointing for Moodie was that he sclaffed the rebound and his double opportunity was to pass Dunipace by.

Minutes later, Dunipace defender Henderson drove forward weaving through two Craigmark midfielders and unleashing a right foot shot only for the Craigmark keeper to be positioned well enough to catch it comfortably.

Caigmarks O'Conner had the chance to seal the game 5 minutes later when again he was one on one with McCurley. This time though the Pace keeper saved superbly at his feet to deny an excellent opportunity. McCurley even managed to get up and dribble round the striker and clear the ball to safety.

Pincombe's last chance of the game was to come on the 60th minute when Wright sent a decent cross into the box but the striker was unlucky not to reach it. Hindsights a wonderful thing but he will be kicking himself for not sticking his high heels on at half time.

Pincombe was then replaced by a familar face but in an unfamiliar body, Paul Tweedie. But for the Tweedie, there was very little by way of opportunites for the remainder of the game and his energy would have been better served back in the gym than the damage caused to his vocal chords attempting to get some decent service.

Cullen and Kane were then introduced to the match, to replace Goven and the injured Sibbald who incidently was Dunipace's best player up until that point. But it was always going to be a hard task given that the performances of both teams had just fallin completely flat.

Wright was unlucky to latch onto a Brown cross on the 61st minute and it was Moodie's turn tbe unlucky when he fired over the bar following good play from Cullen, Mullen and Wright. This was followed up by a freekick by Mullen, Henderson flick but Wright was unable to convert at the back post.

O'Conner and Aitken showed shades of their first half selves on the 75th minute but this time yet another volley from Aitken sclaffed past the post.

For the next 15 mins the fans continued to vent their frustration as Dunipace lacked hunger and desire to go on an equalise. The only thing witnessed was desperation, and the game fizzled out with several long range efforts that were not to trouble Nicol in the opposing goal.

Full time - 1v2 and a game that Craigmark thoroughly deserved to win given their first half efforts and Dunipace wish them all the best in the next round of the competition.

Dunipace Manager Craig McKinlay on the other hand was, quite rightly, furious after the match and I am sure he and Mick McCafferty had some harsh and damning words to say to the players in the home dressing room.

Craigmark: Nicol, Collins, Easdaly, Walker, Neil, Douglas, Glass, Gaw, O'Conner, Aitken, Wallace
Not Used: Mitchell, Filson, Madden

Fabio's Fanzone

Firstly the referee had a really poor performance with too many inconsistancies and incorrect decisions. Was summed up when he booked Tweedie for mouthing when it was actually Dunipace's biggest fan who hurled the abuse. I use 'abuse' loosly because given that there were no translaters in the vicintiy, the ref was unable to decipher the Denny lingo when it was merely a case of 'hol ref yir shoelace is undone'.

From a fans perspective the reality was that the Dunipace players did not turn up to this match. It was a half hearted and unspirited performance, lacking confidence and self belief. A collective response is required, getting in the faces of the opposition, playing the pass that's in front of you and be more clinical in the last third. Defend from the front, stop these runners from midfield and for goodness sake get shouting at each other, its like a silent movie out there. Play for the badge and take pride in your club. The fans could not believe that this was the same squad of players that looked so assured and competent only four matches ago.

There is no better match to redeem club pride than a derby game against Kilsyth next Saturday at their patch. So come on the Mighty Pace, bring us home three points - BELIEVE !!