Blair despair
Rampant East Craigie score five as Davie Park side draw a blank
Blairgowrie suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Dundee side East Craigie on Saturday.
The scoreline remained blank for the first quarter of the match before Craigie took the lead.
Two quick goals just before the interval, one a penalty, put the game beyond Blair’s reach.
When Craigie added a fourth just after the break, things looked bleak for Blairgowrie.
A penalty in the last minute brought a fifth goal for East Craigie to complete a miserable afternoon for all connected with Blairgowrie.
After the match, manager Mark Brash described his side’s performance as “poor”.
He said: “We had the upper hand for the first 20 minutes but East Craigie, as always, are a cracking young team that will always cause you bother.
“They took the lead and we knew how important the next goal would be.
“Craigie got the next from a penalty in the 36th minute and added a third on 41 minutes.
“Another two penalties were awarded during the second half.
“There was not a lot to take from the game but we will get together this week, get the heads down and work hard.”
Saturday’s defeat brought to an end another difficult week for Blairgowrie, who were beaten 3-1 away at Letham in the league on Wednesday.
The visitors fell to two late goals to the league newcomers in Perth.
Blair settled quickly, passing well on the artificial surface.
Clear chances were scarce and Letham took the lead on 25 minutes after a cross from the left was finished emphatically.
Gary Axworthy was fouled in the penalty area just six minutes later and Darren Neave made his usual clinical conversion of the spot kick.
Blairgowrie were on top early in the second half, with Letham looking dangerous on the break.
Football matches often have turning points, and one duly arrived here after 70 minutes.
Blair missed a glorious opportunity, then needlessly conceded a free-kick from which the Perth side took the lead with a fortuitous deflected finish.
With Blair pushing for an equaliser, Letham broke away to score a decisive third in the closing minutes.
Blairgowrie’s next match is not until Wednesday, August 25, when they entertain Lochee Harp in a 6.45pm kick-off.
This will be the final evening match of 2021 and it is hoped that the break until then will allow a lengthy injury list to clear.
Meanwhile, Coupar Angus were on the receiving end of a 5-0 defeat against one of the favourites for the title in Carnoustie on Saturday.
It came off the back of a midweek 3-0 defeat by Dundee North End.
Coupar are due to play Tayport away on Wednesday.