Football: Blairgowrie Juniors get a win at Downfield

Oct 11 2012 by Katy Gordon, Blairgowrie Advertiser

Blairgowrie recorded an unexpected away win against Downfield on Saturday, their fourth win in a row.

The Davie Park side were minus five players. Mark McColl and Rory Cowan were ruled out through injury, and James Simpson and Graeme French were unavailable.

Talented playmaker Gary Axworthy was serving the first of his two-game suspension. Greg McDonald was carrying a knock, just passing a late fitness test.

A starting debut was given to Rorry Ramsay and then previous week’s scorer Steven Harris was started up front along with Paul Maloney.

New signing Josef Frangiskou, from Cyprus, had to make do with a place on the bench with two trialists.

Blairgowrie could have scored early on but Steven Findlay dragged a shot wide in 30 seconds.

Downfield are among the favourites for a return to the Premier League having been relegated last season and it is four years since Blairgowrie’s last win at Downfield Park.

Although Blair started promisingly, Downfield began to look threatening, but there was a hint of offside about their goal.

Downfield went after a second goal and the Blair defence had to be on top form as a lot of questions were asked of them during the afternoon.

Midway through the first half Blairgowrie equalised when a long kick out by keeper Gordon O’Brien reached Paul Maloney who lifted the ball over the Downfield keeper for his third goal in two weeks.

Five minutes before half-time O’Brien was involved in a collision but he soldiered on through the pain barrier.

Soon after Blairgowrie took the lead when Danny Millar was in the right place to slot home from just inside the box after picking up a loose ball.

There was no doubt that Downfield were going to go all out in the second half.

They had most of the pressure but created few clear cut chances.

Keeper O’Brien tipped a long range shot over the bar and saved a one on one.

But as a team Blair defended well as a unit and answered positively all the questions asked of them.

The Downfield keeper was called into action on three occasions to make first class saves.

Danny Millar had a volley at the back post tipped over the bar, new signing Frangiskou had a swerving free kick kept out, and Alfred Trialist’s goal bound effort was miraculously kept out by the in-form keeper.

Blairgowrie held on for a good away win which moves them up into fifth place in the North Division league table.

This Saturday will be another tough test as Dundee North End are visitors to Davie Park, kick-off 2.30pm.

This week’s Berrypicker’s Weigh-In numbers are 5, 10, 11, 14.

There was no recorded winner and the prize money next week will stand at £500.