Strachur-Dunoon hit seven in Bullough Cup win

After a challenging week to get the fixture played, the match was switched to a new venue and brought forward to an earlier start time to avoid severe conditions. The decision proved worthwhile, with the game going ahead on a surface that held up well despite snow showers, heavy rain and strong winds.
Strachur-Dunoon made a strong start and dominated the opening half, moving the ball well and creating a number of chances. Their pressure paid off with two goals from Steven Thomson and another from Sandy Paterson, giving the home side a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.
The visitors responded after half-time, taking advantage of improved conditions and the wind at their backs to apply more pressure. However, it would be in vain, as Brandon Wilson extended Strachur-Dunoon’s lead with a well-worked goal.
However, the English side hit back with two quick counter-attacking finishes to reduce the deficit.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly halted as Wilson struck again almost immediately to restore a three-goal cushion. The closing stages became more physical, but Strachur-Dunoon continued to press forward.
Paterson grabbed his second of the match when he reacted quickest to a free-hit that dropped on the goal line, before Duncan Smart rounded off the scoring with a clinical finish to complete a convincing win.
Steven Thomson and Andrew Rossi shared the man of the match honours, with both players making significant contributions in attack and midfield respectively.
And after the match, man of the match and player/manager Rossi commented: “I thought we were very good in the first half, moved the ball well, and took our chances to give ourselves a 3-0 lead at the break.
Being a few goals up, we maybe took the foot off the gas at times and that’s something we’ll look to manage better going forward. England didn’t sit back at all and put us under pressure in the second half, but the lads did well to respond to this and keep a solid lead.
Overall it was a really strong cup performance and a lot of the boys played some excellent shinty.
He continued: “Credit to England as well for travelling up and giving us a good game, they kept going and made us work for it.
Strachur-Dunoon now turn their attention to next weekend’s away fixture against Aberdour, with throw up at 1.30pm.