Great showing by Juniors in Brechin win

Feb 15 2013 by Juniors reporter, Blairgowrie Advertiser

Blairgowrie pushed up to fourth place in the North Division table with a great display of attacking football at Brechin.

Despite not having played since January 12, Billy Mackay’s side showed few signs of rustiness and indeed passed up many goal-scoring opportunities.

The first quarter was fairly even, with Brechin holding their own and looking dangerous on the break – Davie Park keeper Gordon O’Brien had to look lively on a couple of occasions.

Greg McDonald came close twice for Blairgowrie with a shot well-saved from a tight angle and a goal disallowed for offside by the officials.

Gradually Blairgowrie took a grip and began to string passes together and in 28 minutes Stewart Nicoll gave them the lead.

A powerful run from defence and a one-two with Gary Axworthy on the edge of the box was finished with a fierce drive from 10 yards.

It was a great goal by the Blair full-back.

In 35 minutes, a Greg McDonald drive smacked the home crossbar but only two minutes later Gary Axworthy fired home after a Robbie Hood header had struck the post.

Then, after a great inter-passing move, Rorry Ramsay powered in a blistering drive that just eluded the post.

Blairgowrie continued to dominate after the break. A brilliant move ended with a cross by Steven Findlay which was headed goalwards by Greg McDonald, only for the keeper to save well, with Steven Harris’s follow-up ruled out for offside.

Harris passed up a great chance to seal victory and Brechin should have made Blair pay.

They immediately won a penalty which was brilliantly saved by Gordon O’Brien.

However, it was soon 2-1 when Brechin did pull one back from the penalty spot.

Gary Axworthy made it 3-1 after 62 minutes when Vics failed to deal with a corner.

Brechin were reduced to 10 men on 77 minutes following a late, lunging challenge by their right-back.

After a flurry of substitutions, Blairgowrie made their dominance count with two late goals.

Gary Axworthy drove home from an angle on 88 minutes to complete his hat-trick and then Paul Maloney scored with an audacious chip from an outrageous angle.

Blairgowrie - O’Brien, Ramsay, Pirie, Hood, Nicoll, Findlay, Sheed, French, McDonald, Axworthy, Harris. Subs used - Maloney, Millar, Frangiskou.