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Stranraer 0-0 Peterhead

  • Post published:19 October 2024

A clean sheet for debutant goalkeeper Robbie Mutch helped Stranraer make it four points from six under new boss Chris Aitken.

The manager enjoyed a winning start to life at the helm of the Blues a fortnight ago at Meadowbank Stadium but made four changes for his home debut.

Mutch was brought into the team in place of Jacob Pazikas while Finn Ecrepont, Matty Grant and Deryn Lang were restored to the starting line-up in favour of Elliot Dunlop and Dean Hawkshaw, who were named on the bench, and Tom Brindley, who missed out altogether.

It was one of those new faces in the starting XI that came close to opening the scoring on 12 minutes.

Sean McIntosh’s cross was cleared only as far as the edge of the box where Ecrepont was waiting.

He brought the ball down but then could not keep his shot low enough to test goalkeeper Stuart McKenzie.

Peterhead were enjoying plenty of possession but Stranraer were the side creating the chances.

Deryn Lang returned to the starting lineup following his absence

Grant and Max Guthrie linked up well on the left with the midfielder getting an effort on goal, which was comfortably held by the visiting number one.

Guthrie then hit the post, although the offside flag was already up, before the same man had another good chance.

Grant Gallagher’s floated cross came to Guthrie, who took the ball down but then could not find a corner of the net and McKenzie made the save.

Despite those chances, Peterhead could have gone into the break in front.

Stranraer struggled to get the ball clear in first half stoppage time and Cameron Smith should have done better than smash the loose ball well off target from about six yards out.

The same man then fired over early in the second half after getting on the end of Cieran Dunne’s low delivery.

Stranraer were still creating chances though and Guthrie was off target when he failed to properly connect with a deflected free-kick that fell into his path.

Dunne would sting the palms of Mutch before Peter Pawlett was denied twice in quick succession.

Peterhead were unable to find a way past the Blues defence

Adam Cummins, making his 100th appearance for Stranraer blocked the first effort, and Mutch was equal to the follow up.

Increasingly, it looked as if one goal would win it and McIntosh dragged a shot across goal and wide before Lang saw a similar effort pushed clear by McKenzie.

The final half chance would come in stoppage time with Ecrepont whipping in a dangerous low cross.

However, substitute Ryan Edgar could not quite stretch enough to divert the ball in from close range.

In truth, a draw was likely a fair result with neither team really doing enough to take all three points.

Stranraer: Mutch, Cummins, C Ross, Reid, Gallagher, Russell, Ecrepont, McIntosh (Dunlop 84), Grant (Robertson 55), Guthrie (Hawkshaw 55), Lang (Edgar 81).
Not used: McQueen, McKnight, Woods, Adam and Pazikas.

Peterhead: McKenzie, Strachan, Goldie, Scott Ross, Dunne (Seb Ross 73), Jason Brown, Jack Brown (Shanks 64), Pawlett (McAllister 83), Forrest, Barry (McCarthy 73), Smith.
Not used: Wilson, Armour, Jordon Brown, Duthie and Oluyemi.

Attendance: 462
Referee: Daniel Graves
HT: 0-0

Photos: MadMac Photography, Bill McCandlish