The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
BARBOUR TO FORE AS BROCH BOUNCE BACK
Young Lossie team are put to sword as Fraser burgh run riot and create chances galore
“If we had taken our chances we could have reached double figures”
FRASERBURGH 7 LOSSIEMOUTH 0
Fraserburgh ran riot against a young Lossie side and, but for poor finishing, it could have been double figures.
Coasters’ manager Joe Russell was heartened by Lossie’s narrow 1-0 defeat at Clach last weekend.
This was always going to be a tougher test, even against a weakened Broch side with five regulars missing, including injured central defender and skipper Ryan Christie, and striker Gary Harris.
Man of the match, Scott Barbour said: “I scored twice but as usual I could have got four or five.
“We were all disappointed to have gone out of the Aberdeenshire Cup against Huntly last Wednesday night and it was good to bounce back by scoring a few and keeping a clean sheet as well, especially with so many young lads in the side.
“If we had all taken our chances when they came along we could easily have reached double figures, but at least we’re getting into area of the park to create them.”
Fraserburgh were on the front foot straight from the kick-off but in the first 10 minutes, despite having 90% of the possession, failed to register a shot on target.
That changed in the 15th minute as Fraserburgh took the lead.
Sean Butcher played in Scott Barbour who ran on and calmly slid the ball under the diving Blair Moir.
Four minutes later the visitors doubled their advantage when Butcher shot from the edge of the box and the ball went through Moir’s hands.
Within two minutes it was 3-0 when Butcher was again on target as he met the ball 15 yards out and his half-volley flew low past Moir.
In the 28th minute Butcher should have completed his hat-trick when he burst forward but, with only Moir to beat, he shot weakly at the keeper who couldn’t believe his luck and gathered with ease.
Five minutes from the break Butcher thought he had grabbed his hat-trick but was clearly offside at the back post when he side-footed home. Fraserburgh’s fourth goal was only delayed by 60 seconds, with Ryan Cowie rolling the ball home from the corner of the six-yard box.
Things got decidedly worse for the home side within 60 seconds of the restart when Barbour crossed from the left and Lossie’s Liam Archibald turned the ball into his own net when attempting a clearance.
Broch substitute Paul Campbell had only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes when he ballooned high over the top from right in front of goal after a brilliant side-foot flick by Barbour.
Barbour should have added another after rounding Moir but his half-hit 10-yarder was cleared off the line by the retreating Aaron McLean.
A sixth goal was only delayed until the 71st minute, substitute Campbell giving Moir no chance with a fierce 12-yard drive which went into the net off the inside of the post after a feed from Combe.
The Broch were in seventh heaven in the 79th minute when
Barbour ran through and fired the ball between Moir’s legs for his second of the afternoon.
Only a brilliant block by Moir stopped Barbour from grabbing his hat-trick with six minutes left.
Disappointed Lossie midfielder Ross Archibald, said: “The Broch are always strong. They have great pace and Scott Barbour is different class.
“Losing a couple of early goals really killed us. That ruined our game plan a bit.
“We were hoping to soak up the pressure, as we did fairly well against Forres Mechanics recently, and Clach last week, where it worked perfectly.”
LOSSIEMOUTH – Moir 6, McArthur 6, Hamilton 6, McLean 6, L Archibald 6, Macauley 6, R Archibald 6, Mackenzie 6 (Sewell 46), McDade 6, Allen 6 (B Campbell 70), Forbes 6 (S Campbell 80) Substitutes not used: McCall, Clark, Ure, Dear FRASERBURGH – Leask 6, Davidson 6, Hay 6, Cowie 7 (C Buchan 63), Simpson 6, Rennie 7, G Buchan 6, Young 6 (Sergent 46), Butcher 7 (Campbell 53), Combe 6, Barbour 8. Substitutes not used: Johnston, West, Rae, and Tait Referee – G Seago 7 Attendance – 250 Man of the match – Scott Barbour