Fraserburgh F.C.

Recap

Premier Sports Cup – Group B, Fraserburgh v Kilmarnock, Saturday 9th July 2022

Fraserburgh FC welcomed Premiership opponents Kilmarnock to the Bellslea in their first ever Premier Sport Cup match. The home side were missing a number of first team regulars as well as retirees Grant Campbell and Gary Harris from the previous campaign. Manager, Mark Cowie gave a debut to new signing Jordan Guild and the match kicked off in perfect conditions before a healthy crowd with a large contingent travelling up from Ayrshire.

The Broch tried to get back into the game and Lewis Duncan’s corner from the left caused havoc in the six yard box but nobody in a black and white shirt was able to capitalise. On 24 minutes good work on the left by Calum Waters saw his cross to the back post pick out Danny Armstrong but Paul Leask did well to block the effort.

Just after the half hour a good move involving Logan Watt, Paul Young and William West created a chance for Ryan Sargent but his shot went well wide of target. Kyle Lafferty broke free of the home defence on 35 minutes but once again Leask was able to repel the big Killie striker.

Half Time: Fraserburgh 0 Kilmarnock 2

The home side came out with more vigour after the break and Sean Butcher headed wide from a Ross Aitken cross. On 52 minutes Watt broke at speed and found Duncan who cut inside his marker but saw his low shot skid just wide of the post. Two minutes later Paul Young got on the end of a clearance but saw his shot well saved. Just after the hour Rory McKenzie ought to have made it 0-3 but his dinked shot went just the wrong side of Leask’s right hand post.

On 66 minutes the Broch had a major let off when McKenzie’s cross was met by Murray and his shot came back off the post but inexplicably he put the rebound high over the crossbar. Three minutes later Bryan Hay’s free kick caused confusion inside the Killie penalty area and Young found Butcher who managed to prod the ball home. A minute later Lafferty got on the end of a cross from the right to steer a header past Leask to restore the two goal lead.

With fifteen minutes left Butcher saw his free kick from 25 yards pushed away by Zach Hemming. There was still time for the home side to give debuts to youngsters Connor Grant and Jamie Maclellan as the match drew to a conclusion.

Full Time: Fraserburgh 1 Kilmarnock 3

Fraserburgh: Paul Leask, Ross Aitken, William West, Bryan Hay, Jordan Guild, Kieran Simpson, Paul Young, Logan Watt, Lewis Duncan (Jamie Maclellan 80), Sean Butcher (Connor Grant 78), Ryan Sargent (Zane Laird 74).
Subs not used: Ryan Cowie, Kyle Wood, Ricky Milne, Joe Barbour.
Goalscorer: Sean Butcher (69).

Kilmarnock: Zach Hemming, Alan Power (Brad Lyons 79), Ashton Taylor, Rory McKenzie, Oliver Shaw (Dylan McGowan 64), Daniel Armstrong, Jack Sanders (Lee Hodson 64), Fraser Murray, Calum Waters, Kyle Lafferty (Innes Cameron 86), Liam Polworth (Liam Donnelly 64).
Subs not used: Samuel Walker, Kerr McInroy, Steven Warnock, David Watson.
Goalscorers: Oliver Shaw (6), Fraser Murray (16), Kyle Lafferty (70).

Match Officials – Referee: Graham Grainger, Assistant Referees: Calum Spence & Steven Traynor.