Peterhead 2 Accies 1: Saturday 17 March 2001

Peterhead 2, Accies 1

Saturday 17 March 2001, Balmoor Stadium, Peterhead

Having returned recently from holiday I was naturally anxious to see the Accies in action again - despite witnessing the Montrose debacle and reading about the Shire fiasco. But, hey, even though it's a hell of a long trek, I figured it was worth the effort.

Balmoor Stadium is a nice, modern, small stadium with 2 stands (on either side of the pitch!) and plenty of room to stand at the touchline or behind both goals if you want. Strangely both teams wore their change kit for this match. I can understand Peterhead wearing their away strip at home as they're entitled to do but I've no idea why we weren't wearing the red and white version of the hoops. As travelling companion Tom commented : "I can't believe we'd be stupid enough to pack the away strip only!" Really?!!

Accies started the match with a makeshift forward pairing of Moore and Downs, thanks to a flu bug knocking out David McFarlane and Alex Eadie, while Bill Davidson started in defence in place of Neil Oliver.

While Accies appeared to be much the better team in the first half, knocking the ball around well and making confident passes, they failed to create anything in front of goal. Stuart Callaghan was getting most of the possession and played well throughout but his numerous crosses were easily dealt with by the home defence. In true Vic Kasule fashion he accepted the offer of a chip from an Accies fan while waiting to take a throw early on! For their part Peterhead relied on speedy breaks from defence and managed several shots at goal which were either wide or straight at Ian MacFarlane. The main incident turned the match. Michael Moore was tackled by Peterhead's number 3, both players got up, there was some pushing and Moore appeared to me to push his opponent away with his forearm. However, there was no histrionics, no falling about, both players moved off to get on with the game. The referee, who was almost as far away from the incident as I was, decided that he had to get in on the action and amazingly showed Moore the red card, much to the astonishment of both sets of players and supporters, indicating use of the elbow. The Peterhead player was booked.

Despite this blow, Accies continued to press and the previously anonymous Bonnar volleyed a shot off the stantion supporting the net right on half time. Even after the break, Accies had the better of the game without creating anything until Peterhead took the lead on 58 minutes, Stewart heading home firmly off the post, giving MacFarlane no chance. Gary Clark, on for the injured Sherry, gave Downs a decent chance but the young striker let the ball run across him and failed to get a shot on goal.

Peterhead still failed to control the game and the home fans were beginning to give their favourites a hard time when the clincher came 9 minutes from time. From Accies viewpoint, it was a bit soft, Yeats allowed a free header from a corner with MacFarlane static. Accies finally managed an effort on target 2 minutes later, Downs crossing for Gary Clark to head home. Hopes rose of a grand finale but Peterhead maintained their composure and played out the final minutes fairly comfortably, leaving the small band of Accies diehards with the long journey home.

Not a bad Accies performance overall, considering they played with 10 men for almost an hour. However they never really presented a threat to Peterhead in the box - and that's what really counts. My thanks to Tom for doing all the driving and providing lots of useful information on the way!

PS. The Homer Simpson "D'oh!" award for stupidity goes to Dylan Kerr for attempting on 3 separate occasions in the 2nd half to take a free kick while the ref was lecturing players!

Accies: MacFarlane, Martin (sub Nelson), Callaghan, Davidson, Gaughan, Kerr, Russell (sub Lurinsky), Sherry (sub Clark), Moore, Downs, Bonnar.

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