The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Lichties end cup dream for Broch
S0 2 triker Scott Barbour was proud of Fraserburgh’s display in defeat to Arbroath in the third round of the Scottish Cup at Bellslea.
The Broch were beaten 2-0, with Bobby Linn getting both goals for their Championship opponents.
Barbour struck the woodwork early on and had a goal ruled out for offside, but having beaten Stranraer in round two the Buchan side couldn’t take another SPFL scalp.
The Breedon Highland League player of the year said: “It’s a wee bit of what could have been. I really wish we could have shot down the hill with the wind in the second half. It wasn’t to be. In the first half, hitting the post and having a goal called offside was
frustrating, but the boys can hold their heads up high. I think from the word go Arbroath knew they were in a game.”
Lichties boss Dick Campbell said: “It was always going to be a tough game. Fraserburgh were very good.
“In the cold light of the day we had more chances and Bobby took his two chances well.
“I’m delighted to be in the next round of the Scottish Cup.”
Having lost the toss, Fraserburgh were made to play down the Bellslea slope with the wind at their backs in the first period.
They started well with Sean Butcher firing wide from a Barbour cross.
In the eighth minute, West’s ball down the left channel wasn’t dealt with by Ricky Little and Thomas O’brien, which let Barbour in.
Although his shot from a
tight angle beat goalkeeper Derek Gaston, Little recovered to slide in and send the ball against the right-hand post before the Red Litchies cleared Lewis Davidson’s follow-up effort.
Barbour had an angled drive turned over by Gaston before the visitors hit Fraserburgh with a 17thminute sucker-punch.
Scott Allan played Linn through on goal and he calmly slotted low past goalkeeper Joe Barbour, with referee Calum Scott – who frustrated the home side and supporters throughout with some decisions – and assistant Douglas Ross dismissing vociferous Broch appeals for offside.
On 26 minutes Ryan Sargent blocked Little’s attempted clearance and Barbour finished, but was flagged offside by assistant Elliott Husband-powton.
Early in the second period, Allan sent Linn
through again, but this time his effort was wayward.
Playing into the strengthening wind it was harder for Fraserburgh to create chances, but the players’ workrate and determination kept them in the tie until the closing stages.
Their best chance of equalising came on 87 minutes when sub Connor Wood outmuscled Little before shooting straight at Gaston from 12 yards.
Two minutes later, with Broch bodies committed forward, Linn broke away on the right and slotted home the second to secure Arbroath’s place in tonight’s fourth-round draw.
Fraserburgh manager Mark Cowie said: “I am proud of the guys’ effort.
“The 2-0 scoreline is probably what Arbroath deserved.
“I can’t take that away from them.”