Coupar win in crucial relegation six-pointer

Jan 18 2013 by Amateur football writer, Blairgowrie Advertiser

Coupar put in a dominant performance to thrash Auchterarder in their own backyard on Saturday to deservedly claim much-needed points in their battle to remain in the First Division.

The visitors took the lead in 10 minutes when a Craig Copland corner was nodded out by a defender as far as the edge of the box.

James Fleming drilled an effort towards goal which took a nick off the bootlace of Jamie Feaks and deflected into the back of the net.

By the half-hour Coupar had doubled their lead. Jack Brown played a tremendous defence-splitting pass to James Fleming on the right and he cut inside before taking a touch and rifling the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Coupar had their third when the Primrose keeper could only parry a Craig Copland corner into the net.

Auchterarder started the second half much brighter and, with barely 10 minutes gone, the Lang Toon side pulled a controversial goal back from the penalty spot following a debatable decision by the referee.

A second Auchterarder goal shortly after the hour gave Coupar a wake up call and they got a grip of the game again to score what could turn out to be one of their most important goals of the season.

Mateusz Olender got the ball on the halfway line and brushed off the challenges of no fewer than four Auchterarder players before unleashing a wonderful curling rocket of an effort from 25 yards which sailed into the net to steady the ship for Coupar.

Lee Davidson held off a challenge from an Auchterarder defender before playing a great ball through to the on-rushing Jack Brown who showed great composure as he waltzed around the keeper and calmly rolled the ball into the net, sealing the points.

Two winners shared the Coupar Angus Tote Double last week, each receiving £75.