CAUGHT COLD BY THE JAGS
Memory of previous defeat lingers
Blairgowrie seemed to be suffering a collective hangover following their controversial setback at Violet the previous week.
Well-drilled Scone Thistle proved too strong for Blair, who seemed to lack confidence, and ran out 3-0 winners on Saturday.
It might have been different if some early chances had been taken.
Rudi Brown saw a shot saved when Matty Adam sent him through on goal.
Then Adam latched onto a poor Scone pass, but his shot lacked power.
There was a blow for Blair when the lively Brown was taken off injured – adding to Blair’s already lengthy absence list. Immediately after this, Scone took the lead from six yards out despite vehement appeals for offside.
Just when Blairgowrie needed to consolidate after the break, they conceded the softest of goals in the 47th minute.
This was a major setback, but Blair had by far the bulk of the play in terms of both possession and territory.
However, they created very few opportunities with the wellorganised Thistle defence snuffing out moves before they reached the danger area.
Gary Axworthy hit a free-kick just wide before Adam saw a header rebound from the crossbar only for Scone to break away and seal the match with a solo third goal.
Blair continued to press but the visitors had the best chances to score.
Ross Mitchell, Jamie Ayton and Charlie Fertacz were on target for Scone on a disappointing afternoon for Mark Brash’s men.
Blairgowrie: O’Brien, Reilly, MacNaughton, Millar, Simpson, R Brown, Neave, Plenderleith, Adam, Gray, Axworthy. Subs used: Findlay, Dempster, Scott.
Blairgowrie travel to Angus to play the Arbroath Vics on Saturday in a kick-off 2.30pm.
Meanwhile, Blairgowrie have been drawn away to Hermes FC of the North Region Superleague in the second round of the Scottish Junior Cup. Hermes play in Bridge of Don, Aberdeenshire. The tie is to be played on October 28.
Elsewhere, this week’s Blairgowrie JFC berry-pickers’ weigh-in numbers were 1, 6, 13 and 17.
There were no winners, meaning the prize money next week will be £1050.