BLAIR STUNG BY THISTLE KEEPER
Late penalty not enough for win
Blair gowrie pushed their Premier League opponents all the way in this GA Engineering Cup tie and were a little unlucky to go down.
The Kirrie Thistle goal keeper had an inspired match, producing a string of excellent saves to see his side through the tie.
The opening stages were even. Kirrie were first to threaten but Gordon O’Brien dealt comfortably with a few long-range efforts.
Blairgowrie went on to create some more clear-cut opportunities, with Darren Neave sending a shot just wide after a great run.
Corey Gray had a powerful drive well saved before Kirrie took the lead against the run of play through Njie.
Blair continued to press, with Neave again coming close, before Fairweather doubled Thistle’s lead, making a good run from deep to evade the offside trap, followed by a composed finish.
A two-goal deficit at half-time was harsh on Blairgowrie but Kirrie had taken their two clear chances.
Matty Adam broke through just after the break but was denied by a good save as Blair fought to get back into the tie.
Danny Millar found space at the far post but his powerful header was miraculously saved.
Then Rudi Brown saw a close-range shot bravely beaten away and Adam was out of luck with a couple of strikes from the edge of the box.
Kirrie took control for a spell in the middle of the second half as they looked to settle the tie.
Although they pressed and sent numerous dangerous crosses into the home penalty area, the Blair defence held on.
In the closing stages Blair rallied and their perseverance finally paid off when Andy Murison won a penalty in the 87th minute which Neave converted.
There was one final chance for Blair but Kirrie cleared a free-kick from the penalty area.
Blair gowrie: O’ Bri en, Find lay, Scott, Mill ar, Simpson, Brown, Axworthy, Plenderleith, Adam, Gray, Neave. Subs used: Hood, Murison, Menzies.
This Saturday Blairgowrie travel to play Forfar Albion in the North Division in a 1.45pm kick-off.
This week’s Blairgowrie Juniors berry-pickers’ weigh-in numbers were 2, 8, 18 and 19. There were no winners and the prize money next week will be £1300.