2023/24 New Season New Hope.

[Black Pennel]

10 hours ago, An Absolute Imposter said:

Will miss the Star when they pop back up to the LL, after they dispatch of Broxie and his Bears.

You keep saying it, but they aren't bears.

They are badgers, Shirley ?

[An Absolute Imposter]

4 hours ago, Black Pennel said:

You keep saying it, but they aren't bears.

They are badgers, Shirley ?

it's reference to a certain clubs mascot and that every person I worked with from Broxburn supported that certain club.

They thought it was funny, okay amusing at best. Alright they put up with it.

And don't call me ......., well especially not since the operation.

[An Absolute Imposter]

9 hours ago, outsider said:

The West Premier hasn't been decided yet, still a chance of a three way play off for the LL.

West Premier, otherwise known as the League Nobody Wants To Win.

It's not impossible both Beith and Talbot have some banana skins still to negotiate. This Talbot team are young and not experienced in winning like previous sides, so it's quite a big ask for them. 

Also mathematically Bankies can still prevail. 

Wonder if Star would prefer a 3 way, pun intended.

Yes I am immature.

[outsider]

5 hours ago, An Absolute Imposter said:

This Talbot team are young and not experienced in winning like previous sides, so it's quite a big ask for them. 

If they did manage to win the league I wonder if they'd have enough winning experience to cope with Dalbeattie.

[An Absolute Imposter]

13 minutes ago, outsider said:

If they did manage to win the league I wonder if they'd have enough winning experience to cope with Dalbeattie.

It can be the occasion that beats you rather than the opposition.

I imagine Star as a club would be delighted to return to the LL, so will be up for it totally.

Whether they have the quality us another matter.

My thinking is; playing Broxburn Athletic over 2 legs, the surprise element is gone whereas 1 off games might suit them more.

At the very least we have play off games to look forward to this year, which is a positive.

[Ginaro]

20 hours ago, An Absolute Imposter said:

Will miss the Star when they pop back up to the LL, after they dispatch of Broxie and his Bears.

The same Star that struggled to win against 10th tier Carluke and were beaten by tier 8 Craigmark in the cups, or have they had a massive overhaul since then?

[An Absolute Imposter]

2 minutes ago, Ginaro said:

The same Star that struggled to win against 10th tier Carluke and were beaten by tier 8 Craigmark in the cups, or have they had a massive overhaul since then?

Yes that same Star; just trying to be positive for @Sermani whom I believe has missed the LL.

Hopefully will be at the Islecroft whichever team is there 'pumpin' them. Need permission from horses to do anything.

[Sermani]

4 hours ago, An Absolute Imposter said:

Yes that same Star; just trying to be positive for @Sermani whom I believe has missed the LL.

Hopefully will be at the Islecroft whichever team is there 'pumpin' them. Need permission from horses to do anything.

 

4 hours ago, Ginaro said:

The same Star that struggled to win against 10th tier Carluke and were beaten by tier 8 Craigmark in the cups, or have they had a massive overhaul since then?

Yes Star have improved and toughened up since those games. Wasn't at Craigmark but the Carluke game was was a game to forget.

Whether it is The Star or Creetown who win the league i wouldn't expect them to win a play off/s for the LL. 

I feel the SOSFL is on a hiding to nothing in the play offs, If they get beaten it will be the usual neigh sayers of, they didn't want promoted any way or how the hell is that league at tier 6, yawn! Be absolutely fantastic if they did South West derbies against GretnaFC2008 and possibly Stranraer await.

On to a lighter note cup final at KBT with a 4pm KO, will there be room for another at 1 or 7pm? The Bus timetables have been checked!

[An Absolute Imposter]

Just back from Islecroft; best fiver I've spent in an age.

I'll start with the scoreline:

Dalbeattie Star 2 v 3 Abbey Vale, although that does not even begin to tell the story.

League blown wide open so a title decider at Castle Cary awaits whenever that will be.

Tonight's match was a tale of a  missed pen, a goal that should have stood, an offside goal, a shocking goal line clearance, a referee who didn't appear to know the rules of the game he was officiating, a stand side AR who was out way past his bedtime.

Where to start; Well at 1931hrs, according to my phone, the referee we shall call him Michael, seeing as that's his name blew his whistle to commence the match. But none of us watching was prepared for what was to follow.

Star started quite brightly and tested the agility of the Vale keeps early. Vale settled into their rhythm shortly after and a very eye-pleasing tune they played for us.

The first incident of note arrived within the first 15 mins; and it was a perfect precursor for what was to follow. The Vale 11, not for the last time got goal side of the Star right back, whom I believe was sporting the captains armband, the Star keeps rushed out and duly brought down the Vale 11 but immediately the ball rolled to another Vale forward whose shot ruffled the net. A deserved lead for Vale you might say, not according to our Michael who for some unknown reason waited until the ball was at the 'goalscorers' feet before putting his whistle to his lips and cut through the clear evening sky with a crisp shrill. What about advantage I hear you ask, apparently not. I will be honest in admitting I am unsure of the rule regarding any caution to the offending keeper, he escaped any card of any colour which I found surprising.

Of course he then compounded Vales misery by managing to get his legs in the way of the ball's journey into his net. Michael doesn't like the Vale apparently.

Within 5 mins or so Star rubbed salt into the gaping Vale wound by scoring twice.

The first was a well worked attacking play finished off with aplomb by one Dale Milligan, who impressed all night. The only one in red and black who did if I am honest.

The second well, this is were our young AR enters the story. I cant recall the players in this act, but a cross comes in from this standside and there is a Star player in an offside position, now I cant recall if he touched the ball or not but in any case our agile keeps pushes out the ball which arrives at another Star player who duly dispatched the ball home.

A few of the Vale players politely enquired of the AR why he didn't raise his wee flag, something he didn't do very often this night. I wonder if his mammy had told him it would be considered rude to do so before he left nursery, I mean home. I heard him answer 'he was onside', to which a Vale player asked, again politely, who played him on; there is always one smart arse who spoils a good lie. I did not hear an answer from our young AR. Again maybe his mammy had told not to talk back to his elders. (I may come across as being surprised by the politeness of the questioning of our baby AR, coming from Glasgow I am. Approx 1 min after the Star player scored at least one defender back home would at the very least be screaming in the AR's face, before resorting to a physical accost upon not receiving a heartfelt apology for the flag not being raised)

Seems a very polite lady does Mammy AR.

Told you Michael hated the Vale I was informed again. It did look a reasonable assumption at this point.

Now at this point no-one would have blamed the Vale lads for chucking it and resorting to taking a few bodies, again the Glasgow Way to answer an injustice.

But no these boys are better than me. They continued to play their eye-pleasing brand of this beautiful game and were duly rewarded with a beautifully executed goal. 

From this point till Michael blew his whistle around 2020, I wasn't paying attention to my phone by this stage, Star were in panic mode and without threatening to equalise Vale controlled the flow of the game. 

To conclude my half-time report I will just add that our Michael did indeed apply the advantage rule on more than one occasion which makes his pen/non goal decision more perplexing.

He did incur the wrath of the Star faithful by booking the Star no.4 who politely, I presume, enquired why the Vale no.8 did not receive a caution for trying to remove his legs near halfway.

Apparently Michael does not like Star too. 

Michael does not seem to like much in life.

Anyway half-time arrived Star 2-1 up.

The second half to be honest did not live up or add to the dramatics of the first.

It was for the most part played in the Star half and for the 2nd Thursday in a row I found myself disappointed by Star. Their main tactic seemed to be get the ball as quickly as possible up to our Dale.

Our Dale cut a very furlong figure in this half.

The 2 Vale goals were not things of beauty this time. More like the old Keystone Cops flicks from days of yore.

The equaliser came after a corner, I think, it bounced around the Star box before a shot of sorts trickled past the keeper and the fella on this standside post managed to kind of fall over the ball and it went under or through or something his legs into the net.

Star now fully entered that room we have all inhabited at some point; absolute blind panic.

Any thought of the beautiful game was not on any of their minds. Their shape, tactics, any footballing sense was now long gone never to return it seemed.

The Vale winner duly arrived again after a corner, I think, by this stage my brain was on overload unable to compute and store what was taking place before my eyes.

Again it was a messy affair leaving a Vale player strewn on the ground possibly unaware that a teammate had blown the title wide open and won't have to buy a drink in Creetown ever again. That's if there was anywhere to drink in Creetown other than at Castle Cary Park.

There were a few comical happenings that took place before the final curtain. Again on this standside side, I promise the players did use the full pitch. 

On a few occasions a throw in and a few free-kicks were given to the wrong side, very obviously in fact. The most comical for me was when a Vale player put the ball out of play on this standside, sorry already told you that, and our foetal AR, he did seem to get younger as the game wore on, waited until Michael told him to put his flag up, so polite down here, only problem he gave the throw in to Vale. I don't think Michael wanted to hurt his feelings  by correcting him.

At some point Michael decided enough was enough and allowed us all to catch our breath.

There was a bit of verbal jousting between some Star faithful and a member of the Vale coaching staff who was quite vocal in his happiness at the result.

Our Michael and his cohorts were last into the lovely green stand that adorns the Islecroft. Not before a few of  the aforementioned Star faithful had called into question his abilities.

As bad as Michael was I think the Star faithful should look to their own to apportion any culpability in what had just transpired.

As I said 200 pages ago best fiver I've spent in an absolute age, bring on the title decider don't care who wins and don't care how many goals the Broxies or indeed Talbot score against them, I will be there hopefully enjoying my football as it should be.

footnote: @PossilYM now that's how you give a scoreline.

Edited April 25 by An Absolute Imposter

[An Absolute Imposter]

4 hours ago, Sermani said:

 

Yes Star have improved and toughened up since those games. Wasn't at Craigmark but the Carluke game was was a game to forget.

Whether it is The Star or Creetown who win the league i wouldn't expect them to win a play off/s for the LL. 

I feel the SOSFL is on a hiding to nothing in the play offs, If they get beaten it will be the usual neigh sayers of, they didn't want promoted any way or how the hell is that league at tier 6, yawn! Be absolutely fantastic if they did South West derbies against GretnaFC2008 and possibly Stranraer await.

On to a lighter note cup final at KBT with a 4pm KO, will there be room for another at 1 or 7pm? The Bus timetables have been checked!

Don't give into their taunts my friend. Just console yourself knowing you don't live up there.

Don't need to get a bus to St.Mary's a nice brisk walk gets me there in no time.

Its a matchup I am looking forward to. I do enjoy watching both Creetown and NS.

Did you witness tonight's main course. It was delicious at Cafe Islecroft. Great entertainment on and off the park.

[PossilYM]

2 hours ago, An Absolute Imposter said:

Just back from Islecroft; best fiver I've spent in an age.

I'll start with the scoreline:

Dalbeattie Star 2 v 3 Abbey Vale, although that does not even begin to tell the story.

League blown wide open so a title decider at Castle Cary awaits whenever that will be.

Tonight's match was a tale of a  missed pen, a goal that should have stood, an offside goal, a shocking goal line clearance, a referee who didn't appear to know the rules of the game he was officiating, a stand side AR who was out way past his bedtime.

Where to start; Well at 1931hrs, according to my phone, the referee we shall call him Michael, seeing as that's his name blew his whistle to commence the match. But none of us watching was prepared for what was to follow.

Star started quite brightly and tested the agility of the Vale keeps early. Vale settled into their rhythm shortly after and a very eye-pleasing tune they played for us.

The first incident of note arrived within the first 15 mins; and it was a perfect precursor for what was to follow. The Vale 11, not for the last time got goal side of the Star right back, whom I believe was sporting the captains armband, the Star keeps rushed out and duly brought down the Vale 11 but immediately the ball rolled to another Vale forward whose shot ruffled the net. A deserved lead for Vale you might say, not according to our Michael who for some unknown reason waited until the ball was at the 'goalscorers' feet before putting his whistle to his lips and cut through the clear evening sky with a crisp shrill. What about advantage I hear you ask, apparently not. I will be honest in admitting I am unsure of the rule regarding any caution to the offending keeper, he escaped any card of any colour which I found surprising.

Of course he then compounded Vales misery by managing to get his legs in the way of the ball's journey into his net. Michael doesn't like the Vale apparently.

Within 5 mins or so Star rubbed salt into the gaping Vale wound by scoring twice.

The first was a well worked attacking play finished off with aplomb by one Dale Milligan, who impressed all night. The only one in red and black who did if I am honest.

The second well, this is were our young AR enters the story. I cant recall the players in this act, but a cross comes in from this standside and there is a Star player in an offside position, now I cant recall if he touched the ball or not but in any case our agile keeps pushes out the ball which arrives at another Star player who duly dispatched the ball home.

A few of the Vale players politely enquired of the AR why he didn't raise his wee flag, something he didn't do very often this night. I wonder if his mammy had told him it would be considered rude to do so before he left nursery, I mean home. I heard him answer 'he was onside', to which a Vale player asked, again politely, who played him on; there is always one smart arse who spoils a good lie. I did not hear an answer from our young AR. Again maybe his mammy had told not to talk back to his elders. (I may come across as being surprised by the politeness of the questioning of our baby AR, coming from Glasgow I am. Approx 1 min after the Star player scored at least one defender back home would at the very least be screaming in the AR's face, before resorting to a physical accost upon not receiving a heartfelt apology for the flag not being raised)

Seems a very polite lady does Mammy AR.

Told you Michael hated the Vale I was informed again. It did look a reasonable assumption at this point.

Now at this point no-one would have blamed the Vale lads for chucking it and resorting to taking a few bodies, again the Glasgow Way to answer an injustice.

But no these boys are better than me. They continued to play their eye-pleasing brand of this beautiful game and were duly rewarded with a beautifully executed goal. 

From this point till Michael blew his whistle around 2020, I wasn't paying attention to my phone by this stage, Star were in panic mode and without threatening to equalise Vale controlled the flow of the game. 

To conclude my half-time report I will just add that our Michael did indeed apply the advantage rule on more than one occasion which makes his pen/non goal decision more perplexing.

He did incur the wrath of the Star faithful by booking the Star no.4 who politely, I presume, enquired why the Vale no.8 did not receive a caution for trying to remove his legs near halfway.

Apparently Michael does not like Star too. 

Michael does not seem to like much in life.

Anyway half-time arrived Star 2-1 up.

The second half to be honest did not live up or add to the dramatics of the first.

It was for the most part played in the Star half and for the 2nd Thursday in a row I found myself disappointed by Star. Their main tactic seemed to be get the ball as quickly as possible up to our Dale.

Our Dale cut a very furlong figure in this half.

The 2 Vale goals were not things of beauty this time. More like the old Keystone Cops flicks from days of yore.

The equaliser came after a corner, I think, it bounced around the Star box before a shot of sorts trickled past the keeper and the fella on this standside post managed to kind of fall over the ball and it went under or through or something his legs into the net.

Star now fully entered that room we have all inhabited at some point; absolute blind panic.

Any thought of the beautiful game was not on any of their minds. Their shape, tactics, any footballing sense was now long gone never to return it seemed.

The Vale winner duly arrived again after a corner, I think, by this stage my brain was on overload unable to compute and store what was taking place before my eyes.

Again it was a messy affair leaving a Vale player strewn on the ground possibly unaware that a teammate had blown the title wide open and won't have to buy a drink in Creetown ever again. That's if there was anywhere to drink in Creetown other than at Castle Cary Park.

There were a few comical happenings that took place before the final curtain. Again on this standside side, I promise the players did use the full pitch. 

On a few occasions a throw in and a few free-kicks were given to the wrong side, very obviously in fact. The most comical for me was when a Vale player put the ball out of play on this standside, sorry already told you that, and our foetal AR, he did seem to get younger as the game wore on, waited until Michael told him to put his flag up, so polite down here, only problem he gave the throw in to Vale. I don't think Michael wanted to hurt his feelings  by correcting him.

At some point Michael decided enough was enough and allowed us all to catch our breath.

There was a bit of verbal jousting between some Star faithful and a member of the Vale coaching staff who was quite vocal in his happiness at the result.

Our Michael and his cohorts were last into the lovely green stand that adorns the Islecroft. Not before a few of  the aforementioned Star faithful had called into question his abilities.

As bad as Michael was I think the Star faithful should look to their own to apportion any culpability in what had just transpired.

As I said 200 pages ago best fiver I've spent in an absolute age, bring on the title decider don't care who wins and don't care how many goals the Broxies or indeed Talbot score against them, I will be there hopefully enjoying my football as it should be.

footnote: @PossilYM now that's how you give a scoreline.

Could have told us if the ceiling has finally given way in that Chinese restaurant/takeaway in Castle Douglas.

[vikingTON]

Why has the final showdown not been scheduled for next Saturday - is it due to cup progression from this weekend's games?

[An Absolute Imposter]

10 minutes ago, virginton said:

Why has the final showdown not been scheduled for next Saturday - is it due to cup progression from this weekend's games?

Creetown v Star was scheduled for last Sat April 20th. But, on Friday morning 19th, after Creetown had knocked out Star in Haig Gordon Cup I think it was, a burst pipe was found above the changing rooms.

So game was called off with no new date forthcoming from our fixtures man. And as you say we are in cup time of year down here. 

Star play next Wed both free on the Sat so looks likely it will be scheduled, makes sense.

[An Absolute Imposter]

5 hours ago, PossilYM said:

Could have told us if the ceiling has finally given way in that Chinese restaurant/takeaway in Castle Douglas.

 

My apologies for not giving a complete report, I can offer no meaningful excuse other than a complete lack of professionalism.

If its not too late I can furnish all with an update re our Jade Palace. The ceiling is hanging on by the proverbial thread, the Jade is still trading solely as a take away. You can pick up your order at the front door if you are that desperate to partake the delights Jade Palace has to offer.

[outsider]

20 hours ago, An Absolute Imposter said:

 

I imagine Star as a club would be delighted to return to the LL, so will be up for it totally.

Reading your match report I'm starting to wonder if Star are even up for winning the league they're in.

Some match report by the way. Going by the Star FB page Ross Hunter got both goals for them last night.

[wickerman]

9 hours ago, PossilYM said:

Could have told us if the ceiling has finally given way in that Chinese restaurant/takeaway in Castle Douglas.

Its till open seems to be doing well

[PossilYM]

4 hours ago, An Absolute Imposter said:

My apologies for not giving a complete report, I can offer no meaningful excuse other than a complete lack of professionalism.

If its not too late I can furnish all with an update re our Jade Palace. The ceiling is hanging on by the proverbial thread, the Jade is still trading solely as a take away. You can pick up your order at the front door if you are that desperate to partake the delights Jade Palace has to offer.

Did you look at the Demolition Cup final report on this Saturday’s game between the Sosfl rep and Bo'ness Athletic which appears strangely enough on the Wosfl website fixture list.

Now within the lifetime of the average Wosfl Blazer they've managed to go from doon the pit, whippets and real bread to a report spookily written by AI.

Read the report and tell me that ain't Chat GPT.

[An Absolute Imposter]

3 hours ago, outsider said:

Reading your match report I'm starting to wonder if Star are even up for winning the league they're in.

Some match report by the way. Going by the Star FB page Ross Hunter got both goals for them last night.

I'm sure it was no.9 is that no Milligan.

Have seen Star a few times recently and they have been outplayed each time.

Can see no reason for the not wanting a league title; they would be massive underdogs no matter who is in playoff game or games.

I felt a quick report would not do justice to last night's game. Wonderful entertainment for the neutral.

[An Absolute Imposter]

1 hour ago, An Absolute Imposter said:

I'm sure it was no.9 is that no Milligan.

Just checked and indeed Hunter was 9 Milligan was 10.

Milligan was quiet last night. Hunter worked hard all game.

[Sermani]

16 hours ago, An Absolute Imposter said:

Don't give into their taunts my friend. Just console yourself knowing you don't live up there.

Don't need to get a bus to St.Mary's a nice brisk walk gets me there in no time.

Its a matchup I am looking forward to. I do enjoy watching both Creetown and NS.

Did you witness tonight's main course. It was delicious at Cafe Islecroft. Great entertainment on and off the park.

Have stayed up there, wasn't to bad, it was better than staying in Dumfries.

May 11th, think i'm going away for a wee-day out that day. 

Last night, when Star went 2-0 up they had a spell in charge where i though they were going to get 3 or 4, but hats off to Vale, second half they totally bossed the game, looked sharper and more hungrier to win. The big no 4 never missed a header or tackle all night. Totally deserved win and Star can have no complaints.

Re fixtures , May 4th, Star Wars Day, Star to play Challenge Cup semi if they beat Gretna tomorrow, May 11th Creetown to play in a Final, May 18th play-off games start. thankless task being fixture secretary, best of luck to them.

As for the Jade Palace, when you drive past it looks like the old days of covid lockdown.