The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
CHRISTIE SPOT ON AS BROCH LEAVE IT LATE BROCH LEAVE IT LATE
Roth es pay penalty in dying seconds as Fraser burgh keep IRN-BRU Cup dream alive
Fraserburgh captain Ryan Christie converted a last-minute penalty kick to secure three points against a resolute Rothes, who deserved to take something from the game.
The victory keeps the Broch’s aim of pipping Forres Mechanics for fourth spot, and a place in next season’s IRN-BRU Cup, alive and kicking.
A win in their final game of the season at Strathspey Thistle tomorrow night will be enough to finish fourth on goal difference.
Fraserburgh striker Willie West said his side were fortunate to win the match.
He added: “Rothes were probably worth a draw.
“It was quite an even game and about five minutes before we scored the winner they had three scoring opportunities in quick succession but we got the breaks in the end.
“We were on a bad run recently but I felt we were unlucky to lose five in a row.
“We deserved something from at least three of those matches.
“The main thing is our dream of a place in the IRN-BRU Cup is still alive, although we still have a job to do at Strathspey on Tuesday night.”
Rothes were unchanged from the team that defeated Wick Academy 1-0 on Speyside on Wednesday, while the Broch made two changes following their 3-1 midweek win at Brora.
Paul Campbell replaced the unavailable Gary Harris in attack, while West returned with Cameron Buchan dropping to the bench.
Fraserburgh almost broke the deadlock in the sixth minute when Ryan Cowie’s clever, swerving, 30-yard free kick from wide on the right curled a foot past Darren McConnachie’s near post.
Rothes then survived an 18th minute scare when Campbell’s right-wing cross bounced off the top of the crossbar before being hoofed to safety. A deep Ryan Cowie corner kick caused havoc in the home defence with three Broch players attempting a shot on target before the ball was eventually cleared.
Two minutes after the break, Broch goalkeeper Peter Tait made an excellent instinctive save to stop a ferocious attempt from Gary Kerr.
Jaime Wilson rattled the top of the Broch crossbar with Tait beaten by his speculative 20-yard angled drive. The rebound fell kindly for Kerr but he shot straight at Tait.
At the other end, Graham Johnston’s 30-yard free kick was well touched over the top by McConnachie at full stretch.
Rothes almost grabbed the winner with 12 minutes to go but Jack Maley’s delicious 25-yard strike cannoned back off the upright with Tait nowhere near but the Broch keeper recovered to stop Dale Gillespie’s drive from the rebound.
Broch bounced back and it took a brilliant fingertip save from McConnachie to guide a net-bound Bryan Hay header over the top.
There was drama in
“We were on a bad run recently but I felt we were unlucky to lose five in a row”
the final minute when Fraserburgh were awarded a penalty kick after Stephen Rennie was penalised for handling a Lewis Davidson chip.
Christie made no mistake as he hammered home from the spot.
Rothes keeper Darren McConnachie said: “It’s always tough to take when you put so much into a game. There weren’t many chances, though there were a lot of balls into the box.
“Unfortunately, one of those led to the handball and penalty.
“I got my fingers to the spot kick. I was sure he was going to put it to that side but it was in the top corner so there wasn’t much I could do.
“The boys put a lot of work into the game on a warm day and we’ve come away with nothing so we’re disappointed.”