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Stranraer 1-5 Annan Athletic

  • Post published:7 September 2024

Scorers: Stranraer – Dunlop (29); Annan Athletic – A Smith (7 and 90+1), Gibson (Pen 38), Wood (42) and Dixon (61)

Ruthless Annan Athletic swept aside Stranraer to end their own winless run.

Stair Park welcomed back a host of familiar faces, including the Annan management team of Willie Gibson and Steven Bell, in the visiting squad.

Scott Robertson, assisted by Paul Woods, took charge for the first time and Stranraer found themselves a goal down after just seven minutes.

Stranraer failed to properly clear a corner and it was that man Gibson, who floated a cross in for Aidan Smith.

His flicked header looped over a helpless Jacob Pazikas before dropping in under the crossbar.

Stranraer refused to let that set them back too much and Matty Grant, brought back into the starting line-up, was unlucky to see a free-kick fly just past the post.

Matty Grant laid on the pass for Elliot Dunlop’s equaliser

Finn Ecrepont had an effort go beyond the same upright before Stranraer found their leveller.

Grant was heavily involved as he raced onto Grant Gallagher’s ball down the line.

Grant did well out wide and crossed to the back post where Elliot Dunlop had the time to stroke the ball home.

Stranraer were only level for eight minutes though as Annan got back in front.

There was a touch of controversy about it as Harrison Wood went down under a challenge from Adam Cummins on the edge of the box.

Referee Alastair Grieve pointed to the spot, despite the protests of the Stranraer defender, and Gibson squeezed the ball beyond the reach of Pazikas.

Stranraer’s chances of getting back into the game then suffered another hit when Josh Todd threaded the ball through for Wood to run onto and curl beyond the goalkeeper.

Any chance of a comeback hinged on Stranraer finding the next goal but it came for Annan just after the hour mark.

Max Guthrie made his home debut for Stranraer

Ryan Muir was this time the provider as he played the ball through for Josh Dixon, who knocked the ball beyond the goalkeeper.

At the other end, Dean Hawkshaw fired over the bar while Max Guthrie called Jamie Smith into action with a shot from the edge of the box.

However, the final goal would come for the visitors in spectacular style.

No defender got near Aidan Smith, who took aim from 25 yards and blasted into the top corner.

League action resumes next weekend for Stranraer as they look to pick up three valuable points against East Fife.

Stranraer: Pazikas, Ecrepont, Cummins, Ross, McIntosh (McKnight 66), Dunlop (Adam 84), Gallagher, Russell (Edgar 74), Hawkshaw (Woods 74), Grant, Guthrie (Lang 74).
Not used: Broun.

Annan Athletic: J Smith, R Muir (Quigg 75), Kilsby, T Muir (Maxwell 75), Barnes, McGowan (Stevenson 67), Gibson, Dixon (K Fleming 66), Todd (Quitongo 83), Wood, A Smith.
Not used: Bell and G Fleming.

Referee: Alastair Grieve
HT: 1-3
Attendance: 469