STRANRAER 2-1 PETERHEAD

Saturday 11th November 2006 - Stair Park

Match Pictures provided by Glenn Coulter, LBIPP of Morgan Images 

As the game got under way, Stranraer were playing with the wind behind their backs and they tried to make early in-roads to the match.  Luck was against them early on as on seven minutes Willie Lyle was substituted as he picked up an ankle knock, he was replaced by Will Snowdon.  The game settled fairly quickly but it was apparent early on that the brisk breeze that was blowing across the park was going to be a factor in the outcome of the game as both sides tried to adjust.  Stranraer were looking more comfortable than they had in their previous two or three games, they were passing the ball accurately and holding possession relatively well, Peterhead were also playing their part as they tried to stifle the Blues wing-play and create chances of their own.

Paul McMullan down the left hand side was playing well and he was again causing problems but Peterhead’s defence was holding out although the slight formation change to allow one of their defenders to press forward into the midfield was evident, one of Steve Patterson’s traits at his former clubs so he was clearly having an early impact on his new team.  Kenny Wright was having a frustrating first half as he was caught offside fairly frequently as the Peterhead defence pressed forward holding a rigid back line.  The Blues main chance came from Paul McMullan who met a cross from Sandy Hodge but skied his shot.  Peterhead’s main attempts came let on with efforts from Bobby Linn and Martin Bavidge which rounded off the first half.  Stranraer would have been content at that point not to concede, however at the back of their minds they would have been conscious of the fact that they had not taken advantage of the wind on their backs.

As the second half got under way, Stranraer started the livelier, early play through the middle of the park well co-ordinated by Stevie Aitken and Mark Crilly saw early chances come, the best of which saw the ball played out to Paul McMullan who managed to shake off the attentions of his marker, he then crossed the ball into the box where striker, Kenny Wright lept towards it with a superb diving header which brought a good save from Greg Kelly between the sticks.  On 58 minutes, the deadlock was broken with the aid of a small element of controversy.  The ball went out of play after seemingly coming off a Stranraer player, however, referee Stephen O’Reilly gave the resulting throw in to the blues whom took the good fortune in their stride.  The throw in was taken quickly and the ball played to Kenny Wright on the edge of the penalty area, he turned with the ball to try and create a shooting opportunity, however he was tripped and the referee awarded a penalty.   Up stepped David Hamilton who struck a superb shot which sent the keeper the wrong way and gave the Stair Parkers the lead.

As the half progressed, both sides continued to try and look for goals but chances proved few and far between, Bobby Linn had a good chance for the visitors from ten yards out, whilst Martin Bavidge also had a good opportunity for the visitors but it wasn’t until the 83rd minute when the next key point of the match came when Chris McGroarty gave away a free-kick around 35 yards out in a seemingly unthreatening position.  Douglas Cameron stepped forwards and struck the ball seemingly aimed towards the edge of the box, however the wind caught it and carried the ball forwards and caught keeper Scott Black completely off guard and he cold only flap as the ball flew into the back of the net as Blues fans started wondering what they had done wrong to turn luck against them so much of late.  Gerry Britton had had enough, he had looked anxious before the goal but this was the cue for him to take off his track-suit top and he brought himself on for Alex Burns – direct action from the manager.

Two minutes later, The Blues finally got some luck of their own when they were awarded a free kick themselves, again from around the 30-35 yard point and it was Mark Crilly from near the touchline who stuck the kick goalwards, despite kicking into the wind, this tempered his effort and unbelieveably saw the ball dip dramatically and over the head of Kelly and into the middle of the net to the delight of the home support.  The Blues then shut up shop and closed out the last few minutes to earn a much needed win which was savoured by the home support.

The result sees Stranraer climb two places up the table to seventh spot and gets the teams chins back up ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Cup First Round tie where they will host Alloa Athletic at Stair Park.

Stranraer:
Scott Black, Willie Lyle, Scott Wilson, Sandy Hodge, Chris McGroarty, Stevie Aitken, David Hamilton, Mark Crilly, Paul McMullan, Alex Burns, Kenny Wright. Subs: Alan Morrison, Will Snowdon, Joe McAlpine, Gerry Britton, Steven Nicholas

Peterhead:
Greg Kelly, Bryan Gilfillan, Stephen McInally, Mark Perry, Craig Tully, Jamie Buchan, Douglas Cameron, Keith Gibson, Stuart MacKay, Martin Bavidge, Bobby Linn Subs: John McCafferty, Ashley McInnes, Graham Sharp, Martin Wood, Allan Youngson

Substitutions: W Snowdon for W Lyle (9), A McInnes for K Gibson (67), S Nicholas for K Wright (77),G Sharp for R Linn (67), G Britton for A Burns (85), M Wood for J Buchan (81)

Yellow Cards: Chris McGroaty (82)

Referee: S O'Rielly
Gate: 336