Fraserburgh F.C.

Recap

Locos run out of steam in cup exit at Broch

The Broch saw off the challenge of Inverurie Locos in atrocious conditions at Bellslea Park to progress to the semi-finals of the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup where they will meet Buckie Thistle at Victoria Park on Wednesday 4th September. An early goal by Paul Campbell set them on their way and whilst they had a couple of scares along the way Sean Butcher’s goal a minute after coming on as a second half substitute settled the nerves and made for a comfortable last 15 minutes.

Once again Mark Cowie shuffled his pack after Saturday’s exertions at Buckie with Lewis Davidson, Greg Buchan and Luke Barbour stepping up from the bench to replace Aidan Combe, Sean Butcher and Owen Cairns in the starting line-up. There was also a recall for Michael Rae after the birth of his daughter last week at the expense of Jamie Beagrie who was back offshore.

As with the game on Saturday the Broch got off to the perfect start when good interchange on the right ended with Lewis Davidson’s cross into the penalty area being met by Paul Campbell to head the home side into the lead on 3 minutes.

Two minutes later Lewis Davidson, Scott Barbour and Luke Barbour combined to play in the former but as he raced into the box the ball sped away from him into the grateful arms of Andrew Reid.

Scott Barbour had a chance on 19 minutes when a long ball forward by Paul Leask was missed by the Locos defence but the Broch’s top scorer couldn’t connect properly and it resulted in an easy save for the visitor’s keeper.

On 27 minutes a short corner on the left by Greg Buchan to Scott Barbour resulted in a dangerous cross which Andrew Reid did well to punch clear under severe pressure.

Locos forwards were finding it difficult to get any change out of William West and Kieran Simpson at the heart of the Broch defence as they looked for a way back into the game.

Three minutes before the break Lewis Davidson’s throw-in found Scott Barbour at the corner of the 18 yard box and he turned his marker before firing in a shot which crept wide of Andrew Reid’s left hand post.

Half Time: Fraserburgh 1 Inverurie Loco Works 0

The visitors thought they had equalised two minutes into the second half when a corner from the right was met by Andrew Hunter’s head but Paul Young was on hand to clear off the line with Locos players convinced it had crossed with the match officials waving play on.

On 62 minutes neat build up between Ryan Cowie and Luke Barbour released Greg Buchan down the left and his cross came off the crossbar with no one in black and white close enough to profit from the rebound.

Locos were pushing for the equaliser and in the 68th minute Neil Gauld flicked the ball onto Jonathan Smith inside the penalty area but he could only head straight at Paul Leask from 10 yards.

The Broch made a double change on 71 minutes with Aidan Combe & Sean Butcher replacing Luke Barbour & Greg Buchan and the move paid immediate dividends when Scott Barbour flicked the ball back to Paul Young 20 yards out and his skidding shot was parried by Andrew Reid straight into the path of Sean Butcher who gleefully swept home the rebound from close range.

Three minutes later Paul Young played a pass out to Scott Barbour who found Paul Campbell in space but his goal bound shot was tipped away by the Locos custodian at the expense of a fruitless corner. Michael Rae then stung the hands of Andrew Reid from 25 yards as the Broch looked to make the game safe.

Locos weren’t giving up the ghost though and on 82 minutes Eric Watson played the ball into the six yard area which resulted in Paul Leask going down under a challenge with Neil Gauld then hooking the loose ball over the crossbar.

The visitors had one last chance when Jonathan Smith’s ball into the box just evaded Neil Gauld as he stretched to make contact and Paul Leask gratefully flopped on the ball.

Full Time: Fraserburgh 2 Inverurie Loco Works 0

Inverurie Loco Works: Andrew Reid, Thomas Reid (Jonathan Smith 62), Mark Souter, Sam Burnett, Eric Watson, Ryan Broadhurst, Calum Dingwall, Jamie Michie, Neil Gauld, Andrew Hunter, Ryan Stott.
Subs not used: Greg Mitchell, Kyle Gordon, Jordan Cooper, Craig Gill, Morgan Cook.

Match Officials: Referee: Graham Beaton, Assistant Referees: Chris Phillips & Owen Lawrence.

Results Wednesday 21st August 2019
Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup
Aberdeen 6-1 Banks O’Dee
(match played at Spain Park, Aberdeen)
Buckie Thistle 5-1 Turriff United
Fraserburgh 2-0 Inverurie Loco Works
Huntly 1-2 Formartine United
Pat Munro North of Scotland Cup
Brora Rangers 6-0 Wick Academy
Clachnacuddin 2-1 Ross County
Rothes 1-5 Fort William