Dumfries 1's 3-2 Hillhead C's

On Saturday Dumfries Mens 1s welcomed Hillhead C to King George V for the semi final of the West
District Plate, knowing a place in the final was up for grabs. Dumfries started with the ball, keeping it
well and looking comfortable in possession. They had a couple of unsuccessful adventures forward
in the first 5-10 minutes, but opened the scoring after 12 minutes with R Johnston scoring from a
tight angle to pit the home team ahead. They extended their lead after 5 more minutes with K
Palmer taking on 3 or 4 of the defending team at pace before coolly reversing the ball into the
bottom corner. R Milne then earned himself a green card and 2 minutes on the sideline for hitting
the away. After getting back to full compliment, C Wilson found himself in a bit of space in the
attacking area and expertly reversed the ball in at the near post to put Dumfries 3-0 up at half time.
Hillhead started with the ball in the second half and before long they had a goal back after a good
initial save from E Oakes. The Dumfries captain R Carson was then carded for 2 minutes, as was R
Johnston and a Hillhead player. Hillhead scored again midway through the second half with a rocket
of a strike from left slip at a short corner. Dumfries won a short corner of their own shortly after
with R Carson and J Aitken playing a 1-2 around a defender with Carson unleashing a ferocious
effort, that could’ve restored the cushion on the scoreboard, just wide. C Wilson was then carded
for 2 minutes for not retreating 5 metres from a Hillhead free hit. Another card for Hillhead for
dissent rounded up the cards for this fixture and the score remained 3-2 in Dumfries’ favour.
A game where Dumfries had an excellent first half, but eased off in the second allowing Hillhead
back into the game, leading to a nervy end to the game. The result creates a bit of history for
Dumfries, with the men’s team finding themselves in a cup final for the third season running, with
the final taking place on Saturday 27th April.
Player of the match for this game is Kai Palmer for his fantastic goal and good work rate throughout.
Thanks go to Iain Callander and Mikey Redman for umpiring the fixture.