Strathearn side slump after six weeks without action
St rat h e a r n G rove travelled to face off against Bridge of Earn on Saturday in what was the side’s first competitive outing in well over a month.
The visitors started the North of Tay Cup clash on the front foot and took the lead through a superb effort from Paddy Ward.
The forward curled an effort in with the outside of his foot to put the Crieff lads 1-0 up.
But the home side started to take control of the game and scored with a header from a corner.
And a few minutes later they took the lead.
Grove battled hard and were unlucky not to go in at half-time all-square. Lee Jack hit the post for Grove as the visitors started the second half in the same manner they did the first.
However, a mistake at the back saw a miss-hit clearance fall at the feet of a Bridge of Earn attacker, who showed good composure to make it 3-1.
There was controversy surrounding the host’s next strike as their forward netted when the Grove keeper was down injured and the rest of the team stopped thinking play would be halted.
Frustrated, Grove conceded two more goals owing to a lack of concentration at the back.
Consolation came in the form of a lobbed Josh Roberts effort which got the better of the keeper.
Pressing to reduce the deficit further, Grove were caught on the counter attack and Bridge of Earn made it 6-2 before the final whistle.
Grove: Dave Mckay, Ross Cramb, Martin Mcgougan, Connor Stewart, Ryan Sinclair, Lee Roberts, Mike Welsh, Lee Jack, Keir Cramb, Paddy Ward, Josh Roberts, Stewart Smith.
Meanwhile, Vale of Earn’s North of Tay Cup clash with Invergowrie was one of many local fixtures to fall victim to the weather at the weekend.
However, more positive news for the club came in the form of a hat-trick of new signings.
Graham Abernethy, Euan Carter and Graham Duncan have all joined the Market Park Club’s ranks – with club management keen to bolster numbers further in the future in the hope of enjoying a strong finish to the campaign.
Another attempt to play the cup tie with Invergowrie will take place on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Auchterarder Primrose are at home to Jeanfield in Division One.