Balmoral Utd claim spoils in local derby encounter

Jan 18 2013 by Johnathon Menzies, Blairgowrie Advertiser

Balmoral United maintained their 100 per cent record in the league with a thumping victory over local rivals Rattray on Saturday.

Balmoral thought they had a penalty claim in 22 minutes when Darren Neave stepped past the Rattray keeper, who looked to have caught the forward’s leg, but the referee saw things differently and showed a yellow card for simulation.

Rattray hit Balmoral on the counter attack in 25 minutes and took the lead when a cross from wide on the right looped over the trialist in the home goal and into the top left-hand corner.

Balmoral thought they had equalised when Darren Neave knocked a Phillip McLagan effort over the line but was later flagged for offside.

The home side eventually got their equaliser in 40 minutes when the lively Neave played the ball out wide to Ryan Menzies, who cut inside before whipping in a cross which flew into the top right-hand corner of the goal.

Paul Ireland sent in a great corner from the right shortly before the break and Jamie Duncan headed in from six yards to give Balmoral the lead.

Ireland was once again the provider in the second half. His deep corner from the left was headed back across goal, giving Mikey Lindsay the simple task of heading into an empty net from three yards.

Balmoral got their fourth in 60 minutes when Michael Cattigan passed up the right to Darren Neave, who played a one-two with Mikey Lindsey before racing in on goal and delicately chipping over the advancing Rattray keeper from 16 yards.

Balmoral then introduced new signing Paul Jackson.

He scored Balmoral’s fifth goal from 10 yards .

This followed some great link-up play between Ryan Menzies and Forbes Davidson.

Balmoral’s final strike came in 86 minutes when Douglas Jay whipped in a great ball from the right and Paul Jackson headed in from seven yards into the bottom right corner.

It was a fine goal to round off a good result and performance by Balmoral, which extends their lead at the top of the table.