Fraserburgh F.C.

Recap

Breedon Scottish Highland Football League, Fraserburgh v Forres Mechanics, Saturday 16th April 2021

With a huge crowd outside anticipating seeing the Broch win the Highland League for the first time in 20 years kick off was delayed by 15 minutes to let everyone in. The home side started a little tentatively and it was the visitor’s Paul Brindle who had the first meaningful shot at goal from which Paul Leask made a good save.

On 11 minutes Paul Campbell raced onto a Jamie Beagrie through ball but he lashed over from a good position. Just after the half hour mark the Broch had two good chances. Firstly a Scott Barbour corner was headed wide then moments later a Ryan Cowie set piece was headed just over by Bryan Hay.

The opening goal the home side craved came on 42 minutes when Lee Fraser handled a Scott Barbour cross inside the box. Paul Campbell stepped up and rifled the spot kick past Stuart Knight in the Forres goal.

Half Time: Fraserburgh 1 Forres Mechanics 0

The goal seemed to settle the Broch and after the break the started to create a number of chances. First Scott Barbour headed over after a game of head tennis, then on 57 minutes a corner found Bryan Hay at the back post, he nodded it back across goal but once again Kieran Simpson failed to find the target.

The centre half then saw another effort saved by Stuart Knight and the Forres keeper brought off a fantastic save after Lewis Davidson’s cross was deflected towards goal by Dale Wood. From the resultant corner Kieran Simpson was thwarted once again by the visitor’s custodian.

Finally the home side extended their lead on 64 minutes when a Scott Barbour’s cross broke to Paul Young and he rifled an unstoppable shot past Stuart Knight to great scenes of jubilation around the Bellslea. Eight minutes later Paul Campbell tried his luck with a long range free kick which Stuart Knight easily saved.

Then on 78 minutes the title party could start in earnest after Scott Barbour found Grant Campbell just inside the corner of the box and the midfielder fired a shot with the outside of his of his right foot into the bottom left corner and celebrated with a somersault.

Sean Butcher then brought the house down on 84 minutes when he lashed home a half volley from 35 yards over the despairing clutches of Stuart Knight after Jamie Beagrie had nodded the ball into his path. The icing on the cake came in the 88th minute when club captain Willie West smashed home a half volley from 20 yards after Sean Butcher’s headed lay off.

The referee blew the final whistle shortly after which sparked wild celebrations both on and off the pitch as Fraserburgh were crowned Highland League Champions for only the fourth time in the club’s history.

Full Time: Fraserburgh 5 Forres Mechanics 0

Fraserburgh: Paul Leask, Lewis Davidson, Bryan Hay, Ryan Cowie (William West 71), Kieran Simpson, Grant Campbell (Sean Butcher 79), Jamie Beagrie, Paul Young, Paul Campbell (Gary Harris 75), Ryan Sargent, Scott Barbour.
Subs not used: Ross Aitken, Logan Watt, Lewis Duncan, Joe Barbour (GK).
Goalscorers: Paul Campbell (pen, 42), Paul Young (64), Grant Campbell (78), Sean Butcher (84), William West (88).

Forres Mechanics: Stuart Knight, Dale Wood, Thomas Brady, Ruari Fraser, Lee Fraser, Kenneth Macinnes, Callum Johnston, Jack Grant (Owen Loveland 73), Paul Brindle (Shaun Morrison 68), Ben Barron, Allan Macphee (Cameron Hoath 68).

Match Officials: Referee: Graham Beaton, Assistant Referees: Daniel Donohoe & Brian Fowlie.