The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Peterhead right on top of matters as they sink Clyde
Balmoor: McLean and Leitch on target in first half to see off the Bully Wee
Peterhead top League 2 on goal difference from Montrose after a hard-earned and at times nervy 2-1 victory against Clyde in front of 394 freezing fans at Balmoor last night.
Superb strikes by Russell McLean and Jack Leitch gave the Blue Toon team a 2-0 half-time lead and, although David Goodwillie pulled one back in the 64th minute, Peterhead held on to claim three precious points.
The injured Aidan McIlduff was replaced by Aaron Norris, while Chris Johnston took the place of Alan Smith in the Blue Toon’s starting line-up.
Kyle Gourlay replaced Blair Currie in goal for Clyde, while Mark Lamont dropped to the bench in favour of Raymond Grant.
The Balmoor pitch was clear at teatime but after gathered the ball at the second attempt.
Clyde had the ball in the net after Barry Cuddihy caught Jason Brown in possession, his effort was blocked by Fleming but when Jack Boyle tucked it away at the back post he was clearly offside.
In the 36th minute Peterhead took the lead when Gibson released Johnstone and his low cross was brilliantly flicked past Gourlay by McLean from six yards.
The Blue Toon made it 2-0 three minutes from the break when a great ball from Jamie Stevenson set Leitch clear on the left and he beat Gourlay with a blistering eight-yard volley.
The visitors had an early chance in the second half when Goodwillie went down just outside the box under a Gibson challenge but the Peterhead defensive wall did its job and the chance was lost. The home side almost made it 3-0 10 minutes after the restart but Mason Robertson’s header from a corner kick flew over the crossbar.
Peterhead’s 19-year-old midfielder Norris was gaining in confidence as the game progressed, pushing forward wide on the right hand side.
On the hour a flashing Norris 20-yard drive went inches past the upright.
In the 64th minute Clyde were right back in the game.
Two Peterhead defenders backed off Goodwillie and the former Scotland striker took full advantage by placing a 12-yard grounder past Fleming.
With 20 minutes to go Peterhead’s Johnstone was replaced up front by French-Algerian trialist Karim Belmokhtar, the former Edinburgh City striker.