Best friends off the pitch and now signs of a blossoming partnership on the field.
Broque Watson and Tommy Muir are firm friends away from Stair Park and Stranraer fans are hopeful that translates onto the park.
Watson played a role in both of Stranraer’s goals in the 2-0 win over Cowdenbeath last weekend.
He played the ball out to Matty Yates for the opener and was involved in the scramble before the ball broke to Muir to smash home for the decisive second.
Watson said: “I’m normally a natural winger but I have been really enjoying playing striker with Tam.
“We are best friends off the park as well so we have got a good chemistry together and I am enjoying playing up top.
“Myself and Tam were at Annan together – that’s how we met – and ever since then been good friends.
“We played the same role together at Annan, with me up top alongside him, and we enjoyed it together.
“We became best friends together after it.
“Tam is a great lad and, thankfully, he hit the net with my second assist.”
Twenty-two-year-old Watson began his career at Celtic before enjoying spells at Motherwell, East Fife and Annan Athletic.
His form at Galabank saw him swap one end of the country for the other as he joined Cove Rangers.
He played five times for the Aberdeen side this season before making the move south once again to join Stranraer.
Watson is enjoying his time in the blue of Stranraer having grabbed his first goal against Stenhousemuir in September.
His move up front has coincided with victories over Elgin City, Stenhousemuir and Cowdenbeath.
He said: “We’ve got a great team spirit – that’s all you need.
“To pick up that first result and then you get a bit of momentum.
“I feel as if the boys are a close unit and we are picking up three points and hopefully may it continue.”
That momentum will be put to the test this weekend when Stranraer welcome runaway league leaders Kelty Hearts.
A Nathan Austin header early doors in the reverse fixture was enough to give Kevin Thomson’s men all three points.
Twelve wins from the opening 15 games sees them top of the table and yet to taste defeat.
Watson was keen to see Stranraer end that record and said: “We will go in with plenty of confidence.
“We don’t fear anyone in this league and this league is a tricky league.
“Anybody can beat anybody and everybody.
“You saw that the last time when we went to Kelty and we more than competed with them.
“I don’t think they have been beaten yet and hopefully we can be the first team to do that.”
Last meeting
Kelty Hearts 1-0 Stranraer
An early goal from Nathan Austin ensured Kelty Hearts’ impressive start to the season continued.
Stranraer went into the game on the back of a 2-0 win over Stenhousemuir the previous week and with their own impressive form. However, it took just eight minutes for the hosts to find a breakthrough. Joe Cardle’s cross to the back post was met by Austin and he headed back across goal and beyond Luke Scullion.
Despite the goal, Stranraer refused to buckle and pushed the league leaders. Paul Woods was among those to come close in the first half while Scott Robertson, who scored in the only previous competitive meeting between the sides, headed off target after the interval.
Kelty Hearts: Jamieson, Hill (McNab 48), Forster, O’Ware, Black, Cardle (Biabi 80), Barjonas (Barron 64), Tidser, Philp, Austin (Agyeman 80), Higginbotham.
Not used: Peggie, Hooper, Finnan and Donaldson.
Stranraer: Scullion, Robertson, Burns, Sonkur, Ross, Brady (Irving 88), Gallagher, Woods (Walker 64), Smith, Watson (Muir 76), Yates (Ngoy 75).
Not used: Langan, Moore, Ellis and Rennie.
All competitive meetings
- Kelty Hearts 1 Stranraer 0 (Austin) at New Central Park on September 25, 2021
- Kelty Hearts 2 Stranraer 3 (Austin and Higginbotham (Pen); Orr, Robertson and Paton (Pen)) at Stark’s Park on January 9, 2021
Last five games
Stranraer
- WIN v Cowdenbeath (H): 2-0 (Yates and Muir)
- WIN v Stenhousemuir (A): 1-4 (Robertson, Brady, Sonkur and Muir (Pen))
- WIN v Elgin City (H): 1-0 (Ross)
- LOSS v Edinburgh City (A): 3-1 (Yates)
- DRAW v Annan Athletic (A): 2-2 (Smith and Woods)
Kelty Hearts
- WIN v Albion Rovers (H): 6-1 (Austin x2, Finlayson, Biabi x2 and Barjonas)
- DRAW v Montrose (A) 1-1 (Kelty Hearts win 3-1 on penalties) (Cardle)
- DRAW v Montrose (H): 0-0
- WIN v Stenhousemuir (H): 2-0 (Barron and Cardle)
- WIN v Forfar Athletic (H): 1-0 (Agyeman)
Last time out
Stranraer
Stranraer v Cowdenbeath: Scullion, Robertson, Burns, Ellis, Ross, McIntosh, Brady (Woods 71), Hawkshaw (Smith 71), Muir, Watson (Walker 81), Yates (Rennie 82).
Not used: Langan, Moore, Irving and Ngoy.
Kelty Hearts
Lineup v Albion Rovers: Jamieson, Hill, Forster, Finlayson, Barjonas (Philp 80), Tidser (Black 69), Barron (Reilly 69), Austin (Cardle 64), Higginbotham (Agyeman 64), Biabi, Ngwenya.
Not used: Hooper, McNab and Donaldson.
