HOME MISERY
Arbroath Vics leave Davie Park with all three points
Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat in the North Division was a disappointing result for Blairgowrie against Arbroath.
Despite dominating possession and territory at Davie Park, Blair could not engineer enough clear cut chances to make an impact.
The hosts were slow to settle with a much-changed line-up beset by injuries and unavailability of players.
Things were made worse for Billy Mackay’s men earlier on as Greg McDonald picked up an injury and had to go off. He was replaced by Rudi Brown, the east Perthshire side’s only available substitute on the day.
Blair were up against it and the visiting Vics took the lead after dominating the early stages.
The homeside reacted well, however, and Allan Cruickshank had a shot blocked in the goalmouth.
Steven Findlay just failed to reach a cross that ran agonisingly along the visitors’ goalmouth and, shortly afterwards, Ian Plenderleith saw a netbound drive headed cleared by the Angus side’s defence.
Despite Blair’s momentum, Arbroath Vics doubled their lead shortly before the break – which left the home side with a mountain to climb after the interval.
Following the half-time break, Plenderleith nodded in a cross from Darren Neave to reduce the gap between the sides.
At this point, Blair had the lion’s share of the possession and territory but couldn’t carve-out any clear-cut chances – although they were unlucky when a Cruickshank header was ruled out for offside and a goal-bound Plenderleith drive struck a Vics player’s arm.
The referee deemed the incident to be a case of “ball to hand”.
Inevitably, totally against the run of play, Vics took advantage of carelessly conceded possession to score a third.
Blair continued to press but could not get back into the game and had no more cards to play.
Blairgowrie: Gordon O’Brien, Keir Reilly, Stewart Nicoll, Mark Brash, Ryan Menzies, Ian Plenderleith, Gary Axworthy, Greg McDonald, Darren Neave, Allan Cruickshank, Steven Findlay. Sub: Rudi Brown.
Blairgowrie are at home to Thornton Hibs this Saturday and it is to be hoped that some injuries will have cleared up.
Kick-off is 1.45pm for the North Division encounter.
• This week’s Blairgowrie Juniors FC berry-pickers weigh-in numbers were 5, 8, 11 and 13.
There were no winners. The prize money next week will be £550