First Team

Sinclair free-kick helps Braves to first win

28th October 2020

Can they do it on a cold, wet night at Alliance Park? The Braves answered that question resoundingly, with a 3-1 win over Dalbeattie Star on Tuesday night.

Jack Smith, David Winters and David Sinclair got the goals as Ricky Waddell's side got their first points of the season.

It didn't take long for the hosts to go ahead, with summer signing Smith played in behind after three minutes. He shimmied onto his right, slotting it past the keeper with a composed, natural finish into the corner. 

The sigh of relief from the Braves bench was noticeable - probably due to the freezing conditions - and the first-half continued to show what the side is capable of.

Jamie Walker went close with a header before Smith was played in behind the defence again. The goalkeeper was well off his line and the striker looped a shot over him - only to see it smack the bar.

More good play down the left threatened a second - before the offside flag stopped premature celebrations. Winters jinked into the box on the left, before cutting back to John Guthrie who poked towards goal. A great save denied the midfielder - only for Smith to poke home, but the linesman was on the spot.

Seven minutes later, the Braves had their second. The Star failed to clear their lines, allowing Smith and Guthrie to combine before the latter put it on a silver plate for Winters, and the veteran striker finished calmly to double the lead.

The second-half came and Dalbeattie proved determined, scoring a goal against the run of play. The visitors picked up in Braves half, and sub Jack Steele slipped it through to Steven Degnan, who managed to squeeze it through Alex Marshall and bring the Star right back into the game.

It got scrappy after that, with both sides feeling the pressure. However, it would be the hosts who killed it off.

Ahmed Bouchentouf was badly fouled on the egde of the box, and David Sinclair stepped up. Similar to his goal against East Fife in pre-season, he caught the goalie out - curling into the corner and killing the game with five minutes to go.

Braves: Marshall; Reid, Dowie, Forrester; Docherty, J. Guthrie, Sinclair, Walker; Bouchentouf, Winters, Smith
Subs: Chardon, McDowall, C. Guthrie, Watson

Star: Trialist; Brotherston, Black, Dickinson, Thorburn; Sloan, Graham, Wells, Trialist; Degnan, Orsi
Subs: Steele, Cowie, Kerr, Thomson, Potts, Wilson, Park

 

Written by Andrew Petrie

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