Mackay’s men net Kinnoull win LAST MINU TE VICTORY
A last-minute winner saw Blairgowrie claim a 2-1 away victory against high-flying Kinnoull on Saturday.
It was a sensational conclusion to an afternoon which looked destined to end in a draw after the Perth side levelled things up with an equaliser as the match went in to its closing stages.
Billy Mackay’s Blair side should have had the game sewn up by half-time, but a catalogue of missed chances and squandered opportunities meant there was only a one goal advantage at the break.
Blair had caused havoc down the wings and an overdue goal came after 21 minutes when a mazy run by Paul Maloney set up Allan Cruickshank, who finished brilliantly from eight yards.
Similar chances went begging and a strong penalty claim was waved away by the referee.
Kinnoull were far from out of the game and visiting keeper Gordon O’Brien was called into action, tipping a fierce drive onto the crossbar and blocking a close range effort.
Such warning signs hinted at a Kinnoull revival early in the secondhalf, with Blair pinned back.
But, midway through the half, Blair regained control. Gary Axworthy had two shots saved, Cruickshank almost scored after a strong run and Greg McDonald – making his return to the Blair team after a gap year – grazed the bar with a header.
Inevitably, Kinnoull equalised from a corner in the 87th minute through Ferguson – and it could have been even worse.
There followed a goalmouth scramble of epic proportions in which numerous efforts from the Fair City side were blocked or saved on the goal-line.
Fantastic defending, with Blair players throwing themselves in front of point-blank shots, saved the day.
Blair grabbed the winner in the 90th minute with a goal that was a role-reversal of the first.
Cruickshank’s run and cross was met by Maloney, who guided the ball into the corner of the net from six yards to trigger wild celebrations among the travelling support.
Blairgowrie: O’Brien, Menzies, Millar, Brash, Nicoll, Axworthy, Findlay, Duncan, Maloney, Plenderleith, Cruickshank. Subs used: Brown, McDonald, Pirie.
Blairgowrie face another tough test this Saturday with a trip to freescoring Thornton Hibs.
The Memorial Park match kicks off at 2.30pm.
• This week’s Blairgowrie Juniors FC berry-pickers weigh-in numbers were 4, 6, 15 and 19.
There were no winners, meaning the prize money next week stands at £700.