Two penalties from Jamie Winter saw Carnoustie take all three points from a tough afternoon against Kirriemuir Thistle at Westview Park.
Phil McGuire was forced into a number of changes, Darren Clarkson was injured while Ryan Dignan and Finn Kemlo were unavailable in addition, Steven McPhee took a knock in training on Thursday and wasn’t expected to be fit, however, he was patched up, sent out and put in a huge shift. Jamie Robbie made a return to the starting XI after injury and Sam Simpson made a surprise return to the bench.
Carnoustie started brightly and looked to have taken the lead in the second minute when Dale Reid’s header looped over Daryl Burns, hit the underside of the bar and bounced down but the referee adjudged that it hadn’t crossed the line. The Gowfers took the lead on 22 minutes, Connor Coupe was caught on the head by a stray boot in the box and the referee pointed straight to the spot. After several complaints by the home defence, Jamie Winter stepped up to rifle the ball home. Both sides had chances to score but Carnoustie should definitely have been further in front at half time but went in just a goal to the good.
In the second half the game became fragmented with the referee struggling at times to keep a lid on tempers but Carnoustie held their discipline and eventually made sure of the win on 87 minutes. Dale Reid had received some particularly rough treatment but in typical Dale style he got up and got on with it and when he was brought down in the box, Jamie Winter once again smashed the penalty home to ensure another victory for Carnoustie.
The win sees Carnoustie go back to the top of the Midlands League table after former Gowfer Kevin Milne scored the only goal of the game as Lochee United beat Dundee East Craigie at Craigie Park
