Blair draws a loser
No goals against Davie Park side’s Perth rivals
Blairgowrie had to settle for a disappointing 0-0 draw against Perth rivals Kinnoull in their first home league match of the season.
Although their play lacked real fluency, Blair made numerous opportunities and they came up against an excellent goalkeeper on Saturday who repeatedly denied them.
Blair dominated the first half, but truly clear-cut opportunities were rare.
There were a couple of scares in the defensive third when a Kinnoull corner clipped the top of the crossbar and James Simpson was forced to make a dramatic last-ditch clearance when the visitors looked certain to score.
The Blair centre-half’s brilliant intervention brought the loudest cheer of the day.
Gordon Norrie and Gary Axworthy came close for Blairgowrie before Darren Neave saw his powerful header tipped away by the Kinnoull keeper in spectacular fashion.
The pattern continued after the break, although chances were harder to come by against a resolute and welldrilled Kinnoull defence.
Axworthy was denied by another great save and a succession of corners was easily dealt with by Kinnoull.
The Fair City side then had their best spell of the match with 15 minutes remaining.
Gordon O’Brien was forced into making three good blocks to preserve his clean sheet.
But Blair regained the momentum in the closing stages.
Strong appeals for a penalty for handball were waved aside, before Jack Dempster almost got the winner for Mark Brash’s men at the death.
A low centre from Axworthy across the face of goal was met by the Blair substitute, who saw his angled shot blocked by the keeper’s knee.
Although there was some disappointment at the result in the Blair camp, in truth, the home team’s play lacked a real cutting edge.
Blairgowrie: Gordon O’Brien, Keir Reilly, Stephen Findlay, Danny Millar, James Simpson, Gary Axworthy, Rudi Brown, Ian Plenderleith, Gordon Norrie, Corey Gray, Darren Neave. Subs used: Paul Maloney, Jack Dempster, John Black.
This Saturday, Blairgowrie host Luncarty in a North League match. It’s a kick-off 2.30pm.
Supporters have been asked to note that there has been a change of venue – to Davie Park.
Meanwhile, this week’s berrypickers’ weigh-in numbers were 7, 8, 19, 20. There were no winners, meaning the jackpot next week will be £650.