BLAIR AXWORTHY OF THREE POINTS

Hotshot Gary fires a deadly double for Brash’s on-form winners

Blairgowrie continued their good form with a 3-1 victory over Dundee St James on Saturday.

The home side went in to the Davie Park Midlands League clash with an unchanged starting XI for the first time this season.

The hosts started well and got their reward in the seventh minute when Cammy McManus picked the ball up on the halfway line and drove home a great finish.

Gary Axworthy, pictured, made it 2-0 in the 27th minute and it was no more than Blair deserved at this point.

McManus was unlucky not to add to his tally before the break after running the full length of the park and hitting the post.

Blair had further opportunities to extend their lead before the break but the St James goalkeeper kept the visitors in the game.

Blairgowrie added a deserved third through Axworthy in the 55th minute.

Mark Brash’s men had several great opportunities to kill off the game, with Brodie Cussick and Axworthy both coming close.

St James pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute and it finished 3-1.

Blair boss Brash was delighted with the performance ahead of last night’s away league tie against Lochee United.

The east Perthshire side prepared for Saturday’s encounter off the back of an impressive 3-0 win at Brechin Vics on Wednesday. They made the trip to Angus looking for a reaction to the previous Saturday’s defeat at the hands of Broughty Athletic and started on the front foot. They controlled the game and got their reward in the 28th minute through a goal by new signing Lawrie Mitchell. Blairgowrie continued to create lots of chances in the first half but were unable to add to their tally. Brechin started the second half brightly but Blair continued to press and dominate.

The visitors edged further ahead when Axworthy scored a penalty in the 59th minute.

Mitchell sealed the three points with his second goal for the club following a strike which nearly broke the stanchion.

Reflecting on a well-deserved three points for the Davie Park club, he said: “It was a good response to Saturday. We kept the ball and played some good football.

“After going a couple of goals ahead we managed the game well and deserved to take home the three points.”

Coach Russell McLeod added: “We started the game against Brechin well and created plenty of chances.

“It was 1-0 at half-time but it could’ve been a lot more.

“The second half started with

Brechin creating a few chances but we defended well. This was a far better performance.”

The August 15 Berrypickers’ weigh-in lottery numbers for were 5, 6, 9 and 15.

There were no winners. Blairgowrie play Stonehaven in the first round of the Scottish Junior Cup at Davie Park in a 2.30pm kick-of f on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Coupar Angus were without a midweek tie last week and their away tie against Carnoustie Panmure on Saturday was postponed.

They are due to play Tayport at home in the league on Wednesday this week in a 6.45pm kick-off.

The Foxhall Park side host Beith in the first round of the Scottish Junior Cup on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 2.30pm.