Gary amongst goals again as
Dukla collect Gowans Trophy
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Published
Date: 14 August
2010
By Neil
McGlade
GARY
McSWEGAN rolled back the years by turning in a scintillating performance to
lead Dukla Pumpherston to a 6-2 victory over a Hutchison Vale Select in the
Craig Gowans Memorial Trophy at Saughton Enclosure.
The
former Dundee United and Hearts striker reinforced his goalscoring pedigree
with two clinical finishes. However, the 39-year-old, who had four successful
years with the Gorgie club, scoring 31 goals, reiterated his delight at being
involved in an
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event
dedicated to the late Craig Gowans, the talented teenager who died in a
training ground accident in July 2005.
McSwegan said: "It was a really good match but a very important day as
well and one filled with mixed emotions. I think Craig would have been proud of
his family and the supporters seemed to have really enjoyed themselves."
Dukla Pumpherston appeared the more competent side in the early stages with some
neat interchanges. Ex-St Johnstone striker Paddy Connolly should have claimed
the honour of the opening goal after 15 minutes when he got on the end of a
cross from the right. However Connolly, with the goal at his mercy, somehow
managed to head wide of the target from only six yards.
Defender Ronnie Yule wasn't going to pass up a similar opportunity five minutes
later as he headed Dukla into a deserved lead. McSwegan provided an
inch-perfect cross for the onrushing defender, who met the ball with power and
accuracy. Both McSwegan and John MacDonald were providing Vale's defence cause
for concern with their persistence and determination. Indeed, it was the latter
who was the creator for Dukla's second as he rolled the ball across the penalty
box to an unmarked Connolly, who made no mistake this time around.
Hutchie's No.10 Fraser Ogilvie should have perhaps done better after cleverly
evading the offside trap shortly after but his intended lob lacked any real
conviction. The combination of MacDonald and McSwegan once again carved open
Vale's defence in blistering fashion. A clever lofted pass was expertly
dispatched by McSwegan into the far corner to leave a Hutchie side scratching
their heads at a 3-0 deficit.
Vale did provide a reason for optimism ahead of the second half when they
managed a goal of their own prior to the interval. An expertly-threaded pass
from Ogilvie put Forfar Athletic midfielder Kevin Fotheringham clear on goal
and, despite the striker prolonging his effort in an attempt to outfox goalkeeper
Lindsay Hamilton, he eventually rolled it into the net to reduce Dukla's lead
to two.
With a re-energised Hutchie side now up to speed, they found themselves back in
contention only minutes into the second period via the unfortunate Yule.
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- Last Updated: 14 August 2010 12:13 PM
- Source: Edinburgh Evening News
- Location: Edinburgh