Fraserburgh F.C.

The Broch continued their fine League form with a comfortable win over a young Clach side at Bellslea Park. Early goals from Sean Butcher and Scott Barbour gave the home side a great platform but a combination of poor finishing and great goalkeeping kept the score the same at the break. The visitors continued to put up stubborn resistance but three goals in a five minutes spell just after the hour ended the game as a contest and Paul Campbell capped a splendid afternoon rounding off the scoring before the finish to send the Black & Whites to the top of the table on goal difference.

Manager, Mark Cowie, reverted to his normal starting line up after the wholesale changes for the midweek cup tie against Ross County Colts with Paul Leask, Owen Cairns, Michael Rae, William West, Paul Campbell, Sean Butcher & Scott Barbour all returning at the expense of Logan Watt, Andrew Hannar, Edward Flinn, Lewis Davidson, Greg Buchan & Luke Barbour who dropped to the bench. Jamie Beagrie missed out because of suspension after his red card against Formartine United.

The home side only took four minutes to take the lead after Aidan Combe released Ryan Cowie down the right and his cross picked out Sean Butcher who saw his first attempt blocked but he regained his composure to tuck away the rebound past the stranded Grant Beattie in the Clach goal.

Two minutes later Clach appealed for a penalty after Scott Dunn went down in the box but referee Filippo Mazzoni wasn’t impressed with the claim. A minute later Aidan Combe tried his luck for the Broch but his shot went well over. The second goal was only delayed by moments though as the Broch doubled their lead on 8 minutes. Owen Cairns throw-in found Michael Raeand his knocked the ball inside to Scott Barbour who feinted past his marker before firing a low shot beyond the Clach keeper into the bottom corner.

The Broch continued to press for more goals but it was Clach who had the next real chance when Scott Dunn and Ross Logan fashioned a chance for the former but Paul Leask did well to save the striker’s effort from the edge of the box. Just after the half hour mark Aidan Combe played a couple of one-twos with Scott Barbour and then Sean Butcher before laying the ball off to Michael Rae but he fired his shot well wide.

On 35 minutes Sean Butcher flicked the ball onto Scott Barbour who picked out Aidan Combe with a defence splitting pass but Grant Beattie in the Clach goal did well to block the Broch midfielder’s effort. A minute before the break and the Clach keeper did well again this time thwarting Ryan Cowie with a smart save after Scott Barbour and Aidan Combe had combined to release the full back inside the penalty area. Sean Butcher then went close right on half time but he saw his shot blocked after good work on the left by Owen Cairns picked out the Broch man.

Half Time: Fraserburgh 2 Clachnacuddin 0

The Broch continued to dominate the play after the break with Ryan Cowie’s cross on 48 minutes picking out Sean Butcher at the back post but his shot was blocked at the expense of a corner. A minute later though and Paul Leask had to move smartly to clear the ball before Ross Logan could take advantage of hesitancy in the Broch defence.

The home side created another chance on 52 minutes when Aidan Combe drove into the Clach penalty area and the ball broke to Ryan Cowie who saw his effort pushed away by Grant Beattie. Three minutes later Sean Butcher set up Paul Campbell on the right and he cut inside before seeing his shot beaten away to safety.

The visitors were trying their best to get back into the game and Eachainn Miller broke clear of two challenges but his shot from the edge of the area was straight at Paul Leask who made a comfortable save. On the hour a Broch breakaway involving Luke Barbour, Paul Campbell and Scott Barbour saw the ball played through to Aidan Combe but his shot was tipped round the post by Grant Beattie. From the resultant corner Owen Cairns found Paul Campbell but he curled a shot just wide.

The home side finally made it 3-0 on 63 minutes when Scott Barbour curled the ball in from the right and Aidan Combe’s looping header found the back of the net. Two minutes later it was 4-0 after Paul Young picked the ball up in midfield and drove forward to the edge of the box before finding Paul Campbell in space who drilled a low shot past the Clach keeper.

Worse was to follow for the visitors on 66 minutes when Luke Barbour combined with his namesake Scott and the Broch hitman lobbed Grant Beattie to make it a nap hand for the home side. The game was now over as a contest and both sides took the opportunity to freshen things up for the remaining minutes.

On 79 minutes the Broch scored a sixth after Luke Barbour played a lovely reverse pass to Scott Barbour who saw his shot stings the hands of the Clach keeper but Paul Campbell was on hand to ram the rebound home.

The chances kept coming and a break by the home side on 89 minutes down the right saw Scott Barbour release Ryan Cowie who cut the ball back to Luke Barbour but his shot was blocked and Owen Cairns fired the rebound straight at Grant Beattie who prevented any further scoring.

Full Time: Fraserburgh 6 Clachnacuddin 0

Clachnacuddin: Grant Beattie, Michael Finnis, Sean Webb, Martin MacDonald, Scott Dunn, Dominick Edwards (Thomas Lewis 59), Colin Macrae, James Beeston, Ross Logan (James Anderson), Alasdair Gillies (Ryan Mackintosh 71), Eachainn Miller.
Subs not used: Shaun Sutherland, Jack Wardrop, Liam McDade, Douglas MacLennan.

Match Officials: Referee: Filippo Mazzoni, Assistant Referees: Davy Robertson & Brian Dean.