Blair Cup defeat
But some positives for Billy Mackay’s men
Blairgowrie were knocked out of the East of Scotland Cup following a 3-0 home defeat against Whitburn on Saturday.
Late goals by the Premier League visitors from West Lothian sealed their passage into the quarter-finals and left the hosts disappointed.
However, Billy Mackay’s men can take some positives from the fact that they had a good spell in the middle third of the tie against their higher-ranked opponents.
Whitburn opened the stronger and took the lead after 10 minutes when Brass turned in a low cross.
Blair gradually came into a game which was being played mainly in midfield.
Allan Cruickshank nearly got his side off the mark with an effort which flew into the side netting.
Gary Axworthy also threatened with a dipping volley.
Blair continued their good spell after the break.
Cruickshank had another shot parried by the Whitburn keeper, with Mark Brash just failing to control the follow-up.
Then a net-bound Brash header was deflected over by a defender as Blair pressed.
The pressure continued as Darren Neave narrowly failed to connect with a Cruickshank cross from the right.
Paul Maloney made a great run to the by-line and crossed to Cruickshank, whose shot on the turn was courageously blocked by Whitburn’s McQueenie virtually on the line.
Two goals in the final 15 minutes saw Whitburn through.
Their second goal, which came against the run of play, was aided by a cruel deflection.
The third was something of a miskick which, as such efforts often do, deceived the Blair defence and trundled into the net.
Whitburn finished strongly and fully deserved their victory.
Blairgowrie: Gordon O’Brien. Robbie Hood, Stewart Nicoll, James Simpson, Danny Millar, Darren Neave, Gary Axworthy, Mark Brash, Allan Cruickshank, Greg McDonald, Steven Findlay. Subs used: Paul Maloney, Rudi Brown.
This Saturday Blairgowrie face Brechin Vics away. Kickoff 2.30pm.
This is always a difficult venue but Blair will be hoping to kick-start a run which will see them climb the table again.
John Black, who was cup-tied for the Whitburn game, returns to the squad, while Gordon Pirie, Ian Plenderleith, Keir Reilly and Ryan Menzies are in with a chance of taking part but remain doubtful.
● The numbers for this week’s berry-pickers’ lottery were 6, 12, 13 and 17. There were no winners. Next week’s jackpot stands at £800.