Blair Juniors triumph against Forfar

Jan 11 2013 by Johnathon Menzies, Blairgowrie Advertiser

Blairgowrie face Downfield at Davie Park on Saturday (January 12) in what is surely the side’s biggest game of the season so far.

Downfield are top of the league and pushing for a return to the Premier League.

And the Blair management team will be hoping there will be a large turnout of supporters to help spur on the home side after the 1.45pm kick-off.

Saturday’s match follows on from a 2-1 success away to Angus side Forfar Albion the last weekend, a win that allowed them to surpass their points tally for last season.

The last time Blairgowrie played at their host’s ground was inthe summer when they recordeda sensational 13-0 win in August.

All thoughts of history repeating itself this time around were banished from the dressing room, especially after the league meeting between the sides at Davie Park in October which ended in a close 3-2 win for Blair.

Out were Danny Millar, Andy Murison and Steven Harris for various reasons but the squad was boosted by the return of Robbie Hood, Josef Frangiskou, Rory Cowan and Stewart Sheed.

A win was vital for Billy Mackay’s side to keep in contact with the sides in close proximity to them in the table and all was going to plan when Gary Axworthy opened the scoring in eight minutes.

Increasing the pressure on the Albion goal, a Gordon Pirie pass into the box fell to Axworthy, who beat offside to slot home from just inside the box.

Blairgowrie added a second in 15 minutes when Steven Findlay’s left foot curling effort left the keeper with no chance following a cross from Stewart Nicoll.

A third goal failed to arrive and the afternoon became even more intense when Forfar pulled a goal back with the most sensational of strikes from 22 yards.

Josef Frangiskou had a long range effort saved by the keeper and Paul Maloney, Steven Findlay, and Gary Axworthy all had chances before the half-time whistle.

Forfar Albion introduced a pacey winger for the second half and they began to cause problems in the Blairgowrie defence.

Several Forfar attacks were dealt with in the nick of time and an Albion equaliser seemed on the cards.

The best effort of the half fell to Greg McDonald who had an empty net in front of him at the back post but, with the pace of the cross, it was no surprise to see his effort sail over the bar.

Blair seemed to reassert their control on the game in the final five minutes but the dying moments of the game undoubtedly belonged to Forfar Albion who had appeals for a penalty kick after an alleged handball in the box turned down.

This week’s Berry-pickers’ Weigh-In numbers are 8, 9, 18, 20.

There is no recorded winner and the prize money next week will stand at £600.