Blairgowrie win thriller with late goals

Jan 28 2010 Blairgowrie Adv

Carnoustie Panmure 3 Blairgowrie Juniors 4

IT seemed all over when 10-man Carnoustie Panmure struck a third goal against Blairgowrie with just three minutes on the clock remaining.

For the away supporters, it looked like a disappointing end to a thrilling game – a bad start to 2010.

Then out of nowhere, two players scored their first goals for the club. One player in particular was playing in his first ever match in Blairgowrie’s blue colours. These goals grabbed a victory from the jaws of defeat, leaving everybody connected with Blairgowrie jubilant, as well as surprised!

Last season, Blairgowrie drew with Panmure at Davie Park but unluckily lost away in the return fixture. League games between the two sides have been scarce over the years. Fierce rivals for the Tayside league crown throughout the 1970's, punters will feel the return of the Carnoustie-Blairgowrie fixture as a regular occurrence has been long overdue, with the gutsy, and at times scrappy, nature of this game an excellent advert for the junior game.

It was, however, not the fixture the club wanted after returning from a month long hiatus from competitive football.

Carnoustie Panmure were the league’s most in-form team prior to Saturday, having only dropped four points in their last eight league games and winning their last four games at home, installing themselves as serious contenders for promotion.

This was made all the more daunting by Blairgowrie’s injury hit squad. Out for this game were Scott Barrie, Chris McKaig, Barry McLean and Mark Brash, all of whom were suffering from injury. Added to this list was Jamie Duncan, who was starting the first of a three match suspension.

Things were looking bleak until the trio of manager Ross Graham, director of football Billy Mackay and secretary Mike Coyle set to work, attempting to bring new signings to bolster the squad.

Successfully, a new signing was completed in the shape of Darren Gray who was signed from Penicuik Athletic during the week. Also, Danny Millar was drafted in from Alyth AFC to feature as a trialist.

The opening stages of the game featured evidence that both teams had not played competitive football for a long period. This was especially evident in the Carnoustie front line, who missed three excellent opportunities in the first 20 minutes of the game. Yet, it was Blairgowrie who opened the scoring first. A Ryan Menzies free kick was aimed high into the box and was headed in by Allan Cruickshank from 12 yards out.

Blairgowrie's lead lasted just one minute. A needless free-kick was conceded in a dangerous position just 25 yards from Gordon O’Brien’s goal. Crossed into the box, the free-kick was met by the back heel of the attacker, whose effort eluded Blairgowrie’s keeper and landed in the back of the net.

Soon afterwards, Carnoustie should have gone further ahead. A cross in from wide right was pushed out by keeper Gordon O’Brien to the feet of an attacker. This shot was superbly saved by the keeper, preventing the home side from taking a lead.

As the half came to a close Blairgowrie became very dominant, creating chances that caused problems. Paul Ireland and Allan Cruickshank had the best of these opportunities but the Panmure keeper saved the strikes well. Thus, the scores remained level at half-time.

Blairgowrie continued to play well as the second half began. Penetrating deep into the Carnoustie defence, Blairgowrie were like a team possessed. There were some good chances and you could only but feel that had Blairgowrie been playing regular football over the past month, then these chances would have been converted. A penalty claim was denied when Allan Cruickshank was pushed just inside the box and amazingly, the referee awarded a free-kick. Then after the hour came a welcome boost.

Darren Neave burst towards goal, and with only a defender to beat before having a clear run towards the keeper, he was taken out by a defender who was consequently shown a straight red card. Now, against 10 men, Blairgowrie had an advantage. But as always, the 10 men made life very difficult.

Carnoustie became the dominant team from this point, eventually taking the lead 15 minutes from time. This was met with an equaliser from Darren Neave. The game was heading for a draw.

Then three minutes from time, Blairgowrie conceded a third goal. With little time remaining it seemed unlikely that even a point could be salvaged in this topsy-turvy encounter.

A superb strike from 25 yards out from Gordon Pirie took everybody by surprise. Fast and powerful, his effort sailed straight into the keeper’s top right hand corner. Against all odds, a point was back in Blairgowrie grasp – not a bad time for Gordon to grab his first ever goal for the club.

Then, when everybody seemed content at a point away from home, trialist Danny Millar, just 10 minutes on the park, took a chance and hit a 30 yard strike. The keeper, caught off guard, tried to push the ball over the bar but it was all in vain. The ball was goal bound. Danny Millar had hit the winner, becoming an instant club hero in the process.

This was a great result for Blairgowrie, who dug deep to grind out the victory. The performance was by far the best of the season, with the players finally playing to the standards reached last season.

However, it is vital that no one gets carried away. Although in the top half of the league, Blairgowrie are only three points above the relegation zone. Penicuik have a new management team and will come out all guns blazing in the coming weeks and Montrose got their first win of the season.

They need just one win to reach nine points. Last season Blairgowrie had nine points from 16 games and survived. It seems possible that the relegated clubs this season will go down with a record points total in this dog-eat-dog season.

Blairgowrie play Ballingry Rovers this weekend at the Davie Park in the East Region Premier League. In the three occasions that the two teams have met at Davie Park, Ballingry have never won in open play. Blairgowrie will be hoping that the same determination shown against last weekend will be enough to keep the Fife side’s poor record intact. However, earlier this season Ballingry won 5-4 in Fife. It looks like this could be a great encounter. Kick off is at 1.45pm.

The Blairgowrie squad will be without the same culprits and now Paul Ireland who picked up an injury in the first half at Panmure. Ross Graham hopes to include another trialist.

The Berrypicker’s Weigh-In numbers for this week (January 25) are 9, 14, 18, 20. There was no recorded winner and the prize money next week will stand at £1100. Tickets are available from any committee member.