Fraserburgh F.C.

Recap

Butcher and Barbour to the double as Broch go nap

The Broch got off to the perfect start with a crushing victory over Wick Academy at Bellslea Park. Despite missing 9 first team players the home side dominated their northerly rivals and the margin of victory could have been much larger. First half goals by strike duo Sean Butcher and Scott Barbour gave them a nice cushion at the break. Aidan Combe’s fantastic strike just after half time stretched the lead and both Sean Butcher and Scott Barbour added another to their tally to complete a miserable afternoon for the Scorries.

Mark Cowie handed a first team debut to Owen Cairns who had joined from Turriff United in the close season. Paul Leask started in goal and William West captained a youthful looking team with first team regulars Paul Young, Lewis Davidson, Jamie Beagrie, Ryan Christie, Bryan Hay, Gary Harris and Cameron Buchan all missing due to injury or work commitments. There was also a place on the bench for summer recruit Luke Barbour and youth striker Logan Watt.

The home side were first to threaten after two minutes when Sean Butcher and Paul Campbell combined to set up Aidan Combe who saw his shot turned away for a corner by Sean McCarthy. Wick Academy’s first chance came on 8 minutes when the ball fell to Gordon MacNab outside the penalty area but William West got in a timely block to thwart to visitors striker.

The Broch took the lead on 15 minutes with a delightful goal. Greg Buchan drove down the right wing and created enough space to swing in a wonderful cross which was met by Sean Butcher who beat the Wick goalkeeper to the ball and nodded home from eight yards out.

The home side then allowed Wick to come back at them and on 29 minutes a corner from the right by Craig Gunn was headed wide by Sam Mackay. Nine minutes later the same player was tripped outside the Broch penalty area and he curled the set piece around the defensive wall only for Paul Leask to make a smart diving save in the home goal.

The home side increased their lead on 40 minutes with another cracking goal. Aidan Combe picked up a loose ball inside his own half and sped forward before releasing Scott Barbour on the left channel. He cut inside into the penalty area before firing in a right foot shot which had too much pace on it and dipped into the far corner despite Sean McCarthy getting a hand to the ball.

Half Time: Fraserburgh 2 Wick Academy 0

The visitors made a half time substitution with Gary Manson replacing the ineffective Alan Hughes but it was the Broch who made the perfect start only three minutes into the second period when Scott Barbour drifted across the middle of the park before finding Aidan Combe on the left. He cut inside his marker before curling a spectacular effort from 18 yards into the top right hand corner giving the Wick goalkeeper no chance of stopping it.

Grant Steven tried his luck with a long range effort on 55 minutes which went just wide but a minute later Wick fell further behind when another great passing move involving Greg Buchan, Scott Barbour and Paul Campbell released Owen Cairns on the wing and his cut back found Sean Butcher 10 yards out who swept the ball high into the net past the bewildered Sean McCarthy.

Shortly after that Luke Barbour replaced Sean Butcher to make his competitive debut for the home side and Scott Barbour should have increased the lead on 73 minutes after he latched onto a through ball but saw his shot from the edge of the area tipped onto the post by the visitor’s goalkeeper.

The home side continued to press and Luke Barbour went close on 77 minutes but his shot was straight at Sean McCarthy. Seven minutes later Greg Buchan found Scott Barbour in space but once again the Wick custodian was in the right place to thwart the Broch striker.

He was powerless on 86 minutes though to prevent the fifth goal when another fine passing move between Luke Barbour and Michael Rae saw Ryan Cowie flick the ball onto Scott Barbour and he turned his marker before rifling the ball home to complete the scoring. There was just enough time for Logan Watt to make his competitive debut for the Broch replacing Paul Campbell a minute later.

Full Time: Fraserburgh 5 Wick Academy 0

Wick Academy: Sean McCarthy, Ross Allan (Michael Steven 68), Grant Steven, Alan Farquhar, Danny Mackay, Sam Mackay, Richard MacAdie, Gordon MacNab, Alan Hughes (Gary Manson 45), Craig Gunn (Jack Halliday 64), David Allan.
Subs not used: Gordon Clark.

Match Officials: Referee: Liam Duncan, Assistant Referees: Scott Donohoe & Brian Fowlie.