Darren’s a hat-trick hero in derby clash
Blairgowrie leave Coupar Angus with the points
Darren Neave bagged his second successive hat-trick as Blairgowrie earned the bragging rights in east Perthshire.
The Davie Park men made the short journey to face rivals Coupar Angus and were in celebratory mode come full-time following a 4-2 victory.
Matty Adam was also on the scoresheet for Blair after Alex Gibb and Euan McIlvenny had twice given the hosts an early advantage.
Coupar boss Logan McConachie said: “It was a really frustrating game where I felt we did more than enough to get a result.
“Unfortunately we gifted them two goals in the first half which you just can’t do in this game.
“I really do feel we were the better team for the majority of the second half and we’re disappointed to lose in the manner that we did.
“But take nothing away from Blair, they were absolutely clinical and played the game to the conditions well.”
McConachie is still puzzled by Blair’s fourth goal which came from a quick free-kick and then saw goalkeeper Josh Allardyce sent off for his protests.
“I’m still bemused about one of their goals,” McConachie said. “Our keeper was lining up his wall and they’ve asked to take it quickly.
“It was a real disadvantage to ourselves as play had been stopped. Blairgowrie’s Darren Neave (right) has been in sparkling form
“It’s a shame that the game was decided on that decision and resulted in our goalkeeper acting out through frustration of the decision.
“We’ve competed and played well at times, so there are definitely positives to take but we’re still disappointed as we know we’re capable of winning those games.”
Luncarty remain on top of the North League – despite battling to a goalless draw with East Craigie on Saturday.
Bleachers assistant boss Richie Montgomery believes his side were
unlucky not to take all three points in Dundee.
It proved to be an afternoon where both goalkeepers found form with a number of fine stops.
Montgomery told the PA: “The game was tight like we expected and a draw away to East Craigie is not a bad result.
“But the lads were gutted as second half we had a lot of the ball and had some great chances to win the game.
“Their keeper was in good form and I felt that we did enough to win the game. We can’t be too disappointed as we did draw twice in the league with them last season.
“When we spoke after the game the lads were gutted and that is a good sign.
“When you go away from home to one of the better teams and draw and the lads are gutted about it, then that says a lot.”
Montgomery knows Brownlands Park players will be determined to get back to winning ways in the Scottish Cup this weekend.
“The positives from the game on Saturday were that we kept the undefeated run going and played some good stuff and created chances,” he said.
“With the Scottish Cup next week, the lads are buzzing for it and in a good place. We’re looking forward to that game next week.”
Kinnoull, meanwhile, felt aggrieved to only return home from Dundee Violet with a point.
The Perth squad levelled the contest in the 36th minute when Mark Smith kept his cool to slot into the net from the penalty spot.
Greg Whyte thought he had netted a winner from a free-kick but Noull appeals that the ball had hit the stanchion were waved away.
Scone Thistle’s charge towards the top of the table continued on Saturday with a thumping 7-0 win at Forfar Albion.
The victory sees the Jags sit a solitary point behind leaders and Perthshire rivals Luncarty. Ross Mitchell netted a hat-trick with Arran McKay scoring twice. Charlie Fertacz and Ben Moffat were also on the scoresheet.