(24/03/2023 – BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE – BELLSLEA PARK, FRASERBURGH)
An entertaining evening at Bellslea Park saw FRASERBURGH collect all three points from their meeting with LOSSIEMOUTH. The two sides served up an intense first half but those stood in the rain watching were denied a goal before the break. The second half saw the home side kick on and find the net three times, leaving Lossie pointless at the ground since 2016.
Going ahead under the floodlights on a Friday evening to avoid a clash with the Scotland game on Saturday, the fans in attendance were treated to a relatively tame display from the elements, with only drizzle and chilly temperatures giving cause for complaint from punters and only one survival suit was seen amongst the home support.
Once the game began, things warmed up as both sides went at the other with gusto. Fraserburgh had made a number of changes, leaving Ross Aitken, Scott Barbour and Bryan Hay on the bench, and their replacements were not short on endeavour. The Coasters more than matched their hosts and Ryan Farquhar drew the first save of the night from either goalkeeper, forcing Joe Barbour into a flying save with a dozen minutes gone. It would prove to be the only shot on target of a first half that was played largely in the middle third of the pitch, with neither goalkeeper having a busy evening.
HALF TIME – FRASERBURGH 0-0 LOSSIEMOUTH
The second half saw Fraserburgh find their feet and six minutes after the restart the hosts took the lead. Ryan Cowie hustled his way down the left before squaring to Logan Watt, who tapped home at the back post. Having had a quiet first half, Cameron Farquhar was called upon to earn his money for Lossie and pulled off saves from Josh Bolton and Sean Butcher in quick succession.
Fraserburgh doubled their lead with nineteen minutes to play, as Watt set up Sean Butcher to score from the edge of the area. The points now secure, Fraserburgh relaxed and opened up, showing more of the kind of play that led them to the title last season. A third goal in the final minute of normal time added a shine to the score, with Ryan Sargent tapping home at the back post after good work from Scott Barbour down the left, with the goal bearing a strong resemblance to the opener.
A free kick in added time offered Ryan Cowie the chance to add to the total and his swerving dead ball left Farquhar with no chance but rattled the upright and pinged clear of the area.
The Coasters are back in action next Saturday as they make their debut league trip to Spain Park for a game against Banks O’ Dee, while the Broch host Brechin City in midweek.
FULL TIME – FRASERBURGH 3-0 LOSSIEMOUTH
TEAMS:
FRASERBURGH – Joe Barbour; Lewis Davidson, Ryan Cowie, Paul Young, Jamie Beagrie, William West, Connor Wood, Logan Watt (Marc Lawrence (84)), Josh Bolton (Ryan Sargent (76)), Greg Buchan (Scott Barbour (76)), Sean Butcher; UNUSED SUBS – Bryan Hay, Kieran Simpson, Sam Inglis, Ross Aitken
LOSSIEMOUTH – Cameron Farquhar; Dean Stewart, Ross Paterson, Liam Archibald, Ryan Farquhar, Fraser Forbes (Adam Macleod (74)), Lewis Mcandrew (Michael Weir (74)), Jared Kennedy, Niall Kennedy (Ross Elliott (70)), Ross Morrison, James Leslie; UNUSED SUBS – Ryan Stuart, Baylee Campbell, Kyle Morrison
GOALS:
FRASERBURGH – Logan Watt (52), Sean Butcher (71), Ryan Sargent (89)
REFEREE:
Joel Kennedy