Fraserburgh 0-2 Saints B

Saints got the breakthrough on 34 minutes courtesy of an excellent Bailey Pert strike. The Perth side then doubled their lead in the second half when Taylor Steven showed brilliant skill to bring the ball down before despatching it beyond Paul Leask in The Broch goal.

The hosts pushed to get back in the game however they would end it with ten-men as Scott Murison was sent off with 6 minutes remaining.

Saints B will now play East Fife in the second round with the game set to take place on the 23rd August.

MATCH REPORT

Saints headed north this evening for a SPFL Trust Trophy first round match against Breedon Highland League Champions Fraserburgh at Bellslea Park. First team players Liam Gordon, Max Kucheriavyi and Charlie Gilmour were included in the starting eleven and there was also starting places for recent recruits Bobby Dailly and William Sanford. Fraserburgh won 3-0 at home to Wick Academy at the weekend and manager Mark Cowie made eight changes to his starting eleven for this evening’s cup tie. Paul Leask, Scott Murison, Kyle Wood, Zane Laird, Aidan Combe, Jamie Maclellan, Jordan Guild and Sean Butcher came in to replace Joe Barbour, William West, Bryan Hay, Paul Young, Jamie Beagrie, Ryan Sargent, Scott Barbour and Paul Campbell.

It was a glorious sunny evening in Fraserburgh as Jordan Guild got the match underway for the hosts. The Bellslea Park side created the first chance of the game on 4 minutes as a Ross Aitken cross from the left was met by Sean Butcher and he flicked the ball towards goal but Jack Wills was alive to the danger as he gathered the ball at his near post. The hosts created another chance a minute later but Liam Parker made a brilliant tackle to turn the ball behind for a corner.

The Broch continued to create the better chances of the opening exchanges and on 11 minutes they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after Aidan Combe was fouled by Bobby Dailly. Logan Watt took the free kick but Wills made a strong right-handed save at his near post.

On 17 minutes Parker played a long throw into The Broch box and the ball broke to Charlie Gilmour on the edge of the area but he blasted his strike over. Then shortly after Max Kucheriavyi played the ball in to Taylor Steven and the forward then laid the ball off for the Ukrainian however, his strike lacked power as Paul Leask comfortably gathered.

Saints were coming more into the game and on 20 minutes Dailly tried to catch out Leask with a long-range effort but his strike from 35 yards went over. Saints continued to knock at the door and 2 minutes later Kucheriavyi played the ball into feet of Steven but his shot on the turn was gathered by Leask.

Just after the half an hour mark Kucheriavyi went on a great run from the halfway line, evading several challenges, before playing in Steven but the forward curled his effort over.

The Saints pressure eventually told on 34 minutes as Bailey Pert gathered the ball from Steven on the edge of the box and curled a fabulous strike into the top corner of the net to put the Perth side 1-0 up.

Saints finished the half strongly and on 41 minutes Parker sent a long ball into the box but Steven couldn’t direct his header on target.

9 minutes into the second half Saints were awarded a free kick out wide on the left after Steven had been fouled by Kyle Wood. Kucheriavyi took the free kick and his delivery was met by Liam Gordon but the Saints captain couldn’t direct his header on target.

Looking to get back in the game Fraserburgh made a double change on 58 minutes as Paul Young and Scott Barbour came on to replace Logan Watt and Jamie MacLellan.

The first booking of the game came shortly after as Sean Butcher ended up in the referee’s book for a late tackle on Gordon.

Saints continued to create chances and on 63 minutes Steven cut in from the right and sent a dangerous ball across the Fraserburgh box however, no one in a blue shirt could get on the end of it.

Fraserburgh keeper Paul Leask then made two great saves in the space of a minute to keep the hosts in the game. Firstly, the keeper brilliantly pushed a Steven strike over for a corner on 67 minutes. Then a minute later Pert’s header looked goal bound but the keeper again showed his reflexes as he touched the ball over for another corner.

The second goal Saints were looking for came with 20 minutes remaining as from a Parker throw-in Gordon flicked the ball on to Steven who showed great control to take the ball down before despatching it on the turn into the bottom left corner of the net.

Fraserburgh’s night got even worse with 6 minutes remaining as Scott Murison was sent off for a stamp on Scott Bright.

The final minutes of the match saw Gilmour bring the ball down well on the edge of the box however, the midfielder couldn’t find the target with his effort. Whilst up the other end The Broch, who had brought on several first-team regulars during the second half, continued to push for a goal to give them a glimmer of hope however the Saints defence stood firm with Gordon leading the line, winning crucial headers, as Saints saw the game out to progress to a second round tie against East Fife.

Fraserburgh: Leask, Murison, Wood (Sargent 69), Simpson, Laird (Campbell 69), Combe (West 69), Maclellan (Young 58), Watt (S. Barbour 58), Guild, Butcher, Aitken

Unused Substitutes: J. Barbour (GK), Hay

Booked: Butcher, Guild

Saints B: Wills, Moreland, Bright, Dailly, Parker, Gordon, Kucheriavyi, Sanford, Steven, Gilmour, Pert

Unused Substitutes: Ellison, McKinstray, McMillan, Scott

Booked: None

Scorers: Pert (34), Steven (70)

Referee: Alex Shepherd

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Taylor Steven scored Saints second goal of the evening