SEASON 2014/2015
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Peterhead 0
Aberdeen 1
Sun 06 Jul 2014
Derek McInnes’s Scottish League Cup winning Dons side left Balmoor with a 1-0 victory from this afternoon’s friendly match.
Lawrence Shankland bagged the only goal of the game midway through the second period but despite their defeat, Blue Toon boss Jim McInally said he was pleased his players were able to improve their match fitness.
Peterhead 2
East Stirlingshire 2
Sat 19 Jul 2014
Blue Toon share the spoils in 2-2 friendly with Shire.
Peterhead FC drew 2-2 away to East Stirlingshire yesterday. Andy Rodgers netted both goals for the Blue Toon in a friendly tie against Craig Tully’s new side.
The striker opened the scoring with a curling shot before launching his side two goals into the lead from the penalty spot.
The referee had pointed to the spot after Jordon Brown was brought down rounding the Shire keeper.
Poor discipline cost Peterhead at the other end but once again manager Jim McInally stressed the performance was more important than the final scoreline.
McInally said: “We went two up quite early and to be quite honest it could have been four or five, the way we were playing.
“We played some unbelievable stuff. Andy Rodgers scored an out of this world goal and after Andy put in Jordon, Jordon was brought down in the box and Andy scored the penalty.
“We did some really good stuff in the first half then gave away a really sloppy goal with Sharpie being caught trying to head a ball back to Graeme Smith.
“I wouldn’t have termed it the ‘first team’ or ‘starting XI’ and after we made all our changes the last half and hour was really poor.”
“Enough’s enough now, let’s get started with the season.
Peterhead 3
Montrose 0
Sat 26 Jul 2014
Peterhead demolish Montrose in Challenge Cup first round
In this afternoon’s Petrofac Training Cup first round, Peterhead FC demolished former League Two rivals Montrose 3-0.
The Blue Toon’s triple-threat strike force of Andy Rodgers, Rory McAllister and new signing Jamie Stevenson netted one goal apiece in a blistering first 27 minutes before Jim McInally’s side closed the game out.
The Gable Endies cause was not helped when Graham Webster and Gary Wood were both shown straight red cards either side of the interval.
Peterhead 1
Greenock Morton 2
Sat 23 Aug 2014
Blue Toon boss Jim McInally was left ruing spurned chances and Rory McAllister’s late red card as Peterhead slumped to a 2-1 defeat against his former charges, Greenock Morton.
Morton’s Stefan Milojevic poked the visitors in front moments after the break when he latched onto a Joe McKee cross.
But the Serbian defender quickly spoiled the party for Morton, catching Andy Rodgers on the edge of the box and conceding a penalty which Rory McAllister coolly dispatched.
The star striker saw red late on for two bookable offences before Thomas O’Ware broke Peterhead hearts with a late winner.
Peterhead 1
Brechin City 1
Sat 30 Aug 2014
Substitute Jordan Brown rescued a point for Peterhead by scoring four minutes from time in a draw with Brechin City.
Brechin earned a penalty just before the break, but Andrew Jackson could not convert.
The Glebe Park men eventually broke the deadlock at the start of the second period thanks to Paul McLean’s instinctive finish.
Despite their dominance, City could not hang on as Brown nodded in a late equaliser from Graeme Sharp’s cross.
Peterhead 0
Livingston 1
Sat 06 Sep 2014
A late strike from Livingston’s Myles Hippolyte denied Peterhead a famous Quarter Final victory in the Petrofac Training Cup.
The Balmoor side went toe to toe with John McGlyn’s Livingston squad in a breathless first half and despite allowing the visitors the better of the early chances – Gary Glen threatened twice – were pleased to reach the break level.
The second period was lacklustre from both teams until Jim McInally introduced forwards David Cox and Andy Rodgers into the fray.
The usually deadly Rory McAllister was hauled off after picking up a yellow card and it fell to two subsitutes to grab the headlines.
With the game deep into extra time, Hippolyte’s strike finally broke down Peterhead’s resilient back line in the 113th minute.
Rodgers then saw red for erupting at referee Brian Colvin when the official failed to spot a clear indirect free kick for the Blue Toon inside the Livingston penalty box.
Forfar Athletic 1
Peterhead 0
Sat 13 Sep 2014
It was a disappointing afternoon for the Blue Toon as Danny Denholm’s left-footed strike proved enough to seperate the two League One outfits.
Forfar 24-year-old winger netted just before half-time but despite a energetic 45 minutes from Peterhead after the break, the game ended 1-0.
Dale Hilson, Stephen Husband and Gavin Swankie all threatened for the Station Park side in the first half before Jamie Redman brought a good safe from former-Celtic stopper Rab Douglas.
After the match Blue Toon boss Jim McInally said: “I was disappointed because in the first-half it looked like we wanted to take a look at our opponents and it cost us.
“I don’t often have a go at half-time but I did this time – you can’t play against players like Swankie and Husband like that. We just never got close to them.”
Peterhead: Smith, Smith (Cox – 71′), Ross (Strachan – 57′), Donaldson, Noble, Sharp, Stevenson, Redman, Cowie, Rodgers (Gilfillan – 78′), McAllister. Subs: Cox, Brown, Gilfillan, Strachan, McCann, Richardson, Jarvie.
Forfar: Douglas, Dods, Dunlop, Malcolm, Baxter, Kader (Smith – 82′), Husband (Dale – 56′), Denholm (Paterson – 91′), Young, Swankie, Hilson. Subs: Paterson, Dale, Malin, Smith, Keiller, McLellan, Salmon.
Dunfermline Athletic 3
Peterhead 0
Sat 27 Sep 2014
The 3-0 scoreline from Peterhead’s visit to East End Park told far less than half the story from what was a bad-blooded affair.
It was three first half red cards rather than three second half goals which proved to be the talking points.
Peterhead FC bore the brunt of referee Greg Aitken’s wrath during Saturday’s game, with all three of Jamie Redman, Steven Noble and Jordon Brown sent off.
This was the first time the two sides have ever met in league football and it is unlikely to be a game that is ever matched for its vitriol in the coming encounters.
Jamie Redman saw red after only 15 minutes for a challenge on Josh Falkingham deemed by the man in black as dangerous.
Captain and usually level-headed left back Steven Noble was sent for an early bath moments before the break for a tackle on Falkingham, later described by the Pars player as one he would ‘be proud of’. Jordon Brown was given his marching orders for a push in the ensuing brawl.
After the break the eight men of Peterhead stood tall for a quarter of an hour before Falkingham – again at the heart of the action – found the top corner.
Gozie Ugwu and James Thomas added to Blue Toon boss Jim McInally’s misery before the end but it should be said that those who remained on the park did an admirable job of limiting the talents of arguably this league’s top team.
Peterhead 2
Ayr United 0
Mon 06 Oct 2014
Saturday’s visit of Ayr United marked a return to form and deserved victory for Peterhead.
Goals from Stevenson and Strachan sealed the points as makeshift leftback Reece Donaldson and emergency loanee Nicky Riley put in starring performances.
It was perhaps no surpise however that club stalwart Graeme Sharp was chosen as man of the match, an honour to mark what may well have been his final appearance in Balmoor blue.
Graeme, who enjoyed a testimonial match this year in the wake of the historic League Two title in May, was given a standing ovation by the Balmoor faithful.
An exciting if goalless first half saw emergency loanee Nicky Riley denied a penalty early on and usually clinical Rory McAllister leave two chances going begging.
At the other end Ryan Donelley and Michael Donald had free headers from Ayr corners, but spurned their chances.
Following the break, Jamie Stevenson powered in a loose ball after McAllister was denied at close quarters by David Hutton.
Ryan Strachan fires the Blue Toon two goals to the good after a neat layoff from substitute Ryan McCann in the box. So far a clinical second-half performance from the boys in blue.
Let us know what you thought about the win by commenting here.
Peterhead: Smith, Sharp, Donaldson, Smith, Ross, Strachan, Millar, Gilfillan, McAllister, Stevenson, Riley. Subs: Jarvie, Cox, McCann, Richardson, Rodgers.
Ayr: Hutton, Devlin, Donald, McLaughlin, McKinlay, Gilmour, Forrest, Beattie, Donelley, McGovern, Slane. Subs: Newman Shirkie, Crawford, Muir, McGill.
Peterhead 1
Airdrieonians 1
Sat 18 Oct 2014
A fine strike from Rory McAllister was cancelled out by a penalty from Keigan Parker. Penalty given after a clumsy challenge from Dean Richardson in the box. Captain for the day McAllister cautioned for dissent.
It finished all level at Balmoor after a breathless final five minutes. Plenty of chances at both ends as well as multiple penalty appeals. At the end of 90 minutes a goal apiece from McAllister and Keigan meant both sides left with a point.
Peterhead: Smith, Richardson, Smith, Ross, Donaldson, Cox, Strachan, Millar, Riley, McAllister, Stevenson. Subs: Tait, Deakin, Reid, Jarvie.
Airdrieonians: McNeil, O’Neil, Blockley, Gasparotto, Boyle, Gray, Fraser, Fitzpatrick, Watt, Lister, Parker. Subs: Bain, Prunty, Boyle, Stewart, Gerguson, Cadden, Haggerty.
Stranraer 5
Peterhead 0
Tue 28 Oct 2014
It was a traumatic midweek trip to Stair Park for Jim McInally’s squad as in-form Jamie Longworth scored a double to move Stranraer into fourth place.
Willie Gibson put Stranraer in front in the 20th minute with a top corner freekick before Longworth doubled the advantage after the break with a smart finish.
Chris Aitken struck from the penalty spot penalty after Ryan Strachan brought down Craig Malcolm.
Despite efforts from Jordon Brown, Rory McAllister and Jamie Redman, the late night clash finished an embarassing 5-0 to the home side.
Longworth and Stoney hit the net late on to seal three points and silence the small band of dedicated travelling Blue Toon supporters.
Stranraer: Mitchell, Gallagher, Rumsby, McKeown, Longridge, Winter, Stirling, Aitken, Gibson, Malcolm, Longworth. Subs: Stoney, Marenghi, Russell, Bell, Forde, Tobin, McCloskey.
Peterhead: Smith, Cox, Smith, Donaldson, Noble, Brown, Redman, Rodgers, Strachan, McAllister, Stevenson. Subs: Richardson, Lawrence, Jarvie.
Peterhead 0
Stranraer 1
Sat 01 Nov 2014
After a frenetic final ten minutes when tempers spilled over on and off the pitch, Stranraer left Balmoor as victors and progressed into the next round of the Scottish Cup.
Jamie Stevenson was been at the heart of everything good about Peterhead’s play. Despite several chances for McAllister and Stevenson though, it was level at the break.
Into the second half and Jamie Longworth – the midweek villain – swept home from the left side of the box and under Graeme Smith to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
Reece Donaldson sent off – perhaps harshly – for a challenge on Willie Gibson and Graeme Smith picked up a yellow in the ensuing melee.
Peterhead: Smith, Smith, Donaldson, Ross, Redman, Strachan, Stevenson, Millar, Noble, McAllister, Riley. Subs: Rodgers, Brown, Richardson, Gilfillan, Jarvie.
Stranraer: Mitchell, Gallagher, Rumsby, McKeown, Russell, WInter, Aitken, Bell, Gibson, Longworth, Malcolm. Subs: Stoney, Stirling, Longridge, Marenghi, Forde, Tobin, McCloskey.
Peterhead 1
Dunfermline Athletic 1
Sat 08 Nov 2014
Jamie Stevenson’s late equaliser in a thrilling final quarter of an hour rescued a point for the Blue Toon against Jim Jefferies’ full-time side.
There was a fantastic atmospher at Balmoor in a clash that was played in the shadow of the hugely controversial 3-0 Dunfermline victory last month.
Andry Rodgers – who earned himself a SFA ban for social media comments in the wake of that match – was heckled throughout the 90 mins despite starting on the bench.
Dunfermline drew first blood as El Bakhtaoui rose highest in the box to head past Smith in the Blue Toon goal.
The visitors went in a goal to the good at the break. Dunfermline bossed the opening exchanges and El Bakhtaoui capitalised with a cool header.
But Jim McInally’s men came into the match in the final ten minutes of the half to set up a more evenly matched second 45 minutes.
Summer signing Jamie Stevenson then sent the home crowd into raptures when Bryan Gilfillan headed Steven Noble’s in swinging freekick across the goal for the former Cowdenbeath man to nod home from two yards.
Peterhead: Smith, Kerr, Noble, Brown, Ross, Strachan, Millar, Redman, McAllister, Stevenson, Cox. Subs: Jarvie, Rodgers, Gilfillan, Richardson.
Dunfermline: Scully, Millen, Whittle, Urqhart, Buchanan, Geggan, El Bakhtaoui, Spence, Moffat, Forbers, Byrne. Subs: Goodfellow, Thomson, Stirling, Martin, Ugwu, Smith, WIlliamson.
Ayr United 2
Peterhead 3
Sat 15 Nov 2014
Blue Toon fan favourite Rory McAllister bagged his first hat trick of the season to secure all three points against a dogged Ayr side today. The result helped Jim McInally’s men leapfrog The Honest Men into sixth place in Scottish League One, only five points off leaders Morton.
The 27-year-old hitman netted in the eighth minute to give the visitors the lead at the break. Former Scotland international Craig Beattie levelled ten minutes after the interval before two penalties within three minutes late in the match set up a tense finish.
Jamie Stevenson was brought down inside the Ayr box on 70 minutes and McAllister – unnervingly accurate from the spot – slide the ball past Hutton.
Moments late goalkeeping counterpart Graeme Smith in the Peterhead goal brought down Ryan Donnelly. Former Blue Toon captain Scott McLaughlin netted to set up a breathless finale.
But with only 10 minutes left on referee Craig Charleston’s watch, McAllister sealed a near-perfect performance with a third goal, sending McInally and the Peterhead bench into raptures.
Ayr: Hutton, Muir, Trialist, McGill (Beattie 49), Keenan, Forrest, Gilmour, McLaughlin, McGovern, Slane, Donnelly. Subs: Beattie, Wardrope, McArthur, McKenzie, Nisbet, Shirkie, Newman.
Peterhead: Smith, Kerr, Donaldson, Strachan, Redman, Noble, Stevenson, Millar, Gifillan (Rodgers), McAllister (Brown) Cox. Subs: Rodgers, Brown, Richardson, McLaren, Jarvie.
Dunfermline Athletic 1
Peterhead 1
Sat 03 Jan 2015
Peterhead Football Club’s first League One clash of 2015 shaped up to be a special encounter. Jim McInally’s Blue Toon traveled to an out of form Dunfermline Athletic side who had recently bid farewell to boss Jim Jeffries.
A penalty from Rory McAllister penalty in the 63rd minute rescued a point for the Blue Toon after a first-half Forbes goal. The result moved Peterhead down into seventh place in League One, but with games in hand over all the teams around.
Dunfermline: Scully, Geggan, Buchanan, Martin, Millen, Falkingham, Byrne, Forbes (Stirling 75′), Whittle, Moffat (Smith 86′), Wallace (El-Bakhtaoui 56′). Subs: Urquhart, Spence, Smith, El-Bakhtaoui, Stirling, O’Kane, Goodfellow.
Peterhead: Smith, Kerr, Donaldson, Ross, Noble, Strachan, Cowie (Brown 53′), Redman, Cox (Gilfillan 69′), McAllister (Rodgers 75′), Stevenson. Subs: Rodgers, Gilfillan, Brown, Millar, Smith, Richardson, Jarvie.
Airdrieonians 1
Peterhead 3
Sat 10 Jan 2015
Jim McInally’s Blue Toon side brought a end to their hosts impressive five-game unbeaten run with a dogged performance at the Excelsior Stadium.
The visitors took the lead after six minutes when Ryan Strachan nodded in a Rory McAllister cross. Airdrie’s Scott Fraser quickly drew the home side level before a Marc Fitzpatrick own goal moments before the break sent Peterhead head in ahead at half time.
The impressive Jamie Stevenson netted from a free kick in the 47th minute and Peterhead held out for a deserved win.
Airdrieonians: McNeil, O’Neil, Docherty, Richards-Everton, Boyle, Bain (Parker), Blockley, Fitzpatrick, Prunty, Lister, Fraser. Subs: Watt, Parker, Boyle, Stewart, Ferguson, Gray, Wilson.
Peterhead: Smith, Ross, Strachan, Donaldson, Kerr, Cowie, Stevenson (Rodgers), Redman, Noble, McAllister (Gifillan), Cox (Riley). Subs: Riley, Gilfillan, Rodgers, Brown, Smith, Jarvie.
Peterhead 2
Stirling Albion 1
Sat 17 Jan 2015
The Beanos may have been propping up the foot of the Scottish League One table with only 13 points from their first 20 matches, but Peterhead had failed to beat Stuart McLaren’s side in either of their last two visits to the north-east.
And it looked like that impressive Stirling form at Balmoor was set to continue after Craig Wedderburn netted in the first half.
But the Blue Toon launched a fantastic comeback with second half goals from Rory McAllister from the spot and Jamie Stevenson.
Peterhead: Smith, Kerr, Noble, Donaldson, Ross, Cowie, Strachan, Redman, McAllister, Stevenson, Cox. Subs: Jarvie, Rodgers, Brown, Smith, Trialist.
Stirling Albion: Paterson, McGeachie, Creaney, Beith, Wedderburn, Smith, Johnston, Comrie, Shepherd, Smith, Cunningham. Subs: Reidford, Hamilton, Forsyth, Folton, Robertson, McClune.
Peterhead 2
Stenhousemuir 0
Sat 31 Jan 2015
Following a weekend off due to a weather postponement at Glebe Park, Jim McInally’s squad was close to full strength and the manager had new signings Nicky Riley and Kevin Dzierzawski a fit and available for selection.
An afternoon plagued by tumultuous weather ended with a fantastic win for the Blue Toon against a stubborn Warriors side. A dogged goal from Cammy Kerr was followed up by a memorable first from man of the match and new signing Kevin Dzierzawski.
The Blue Toon had gone in ahead at the break thanks to a scrappy goal from on-loan full back Cammy Kerr. However Rory McAllister missed a penalty moments later, after Jamie Stevenson was brought down in the box.
In the 56th minute the home side made a breakthrough wit a stunning debut goal from Dzierzawski, who played a neat one-two with McAllister on the edge of the box before sliding a shot in from 10 yards.
Peterhead: Smith, Kerr, Noble, Strachan, Donaldson, Dzierzawski, Cox, Redman, McAllister, Stevenson, Riley. Subs: Jarvie, Rodgers, Smith, Brown, McLaren.
Stenhousemuir: Gleming, McCormack, Meechan, Lithgow, Summers, Millar, Faulds, Hodge, McMenamin, McMullan, Sutherland. Subs: Shan, Duncan, Fotheringham, Watt, Eddington, Grehan.
Forfar Athletic 3
Peterhead 1
Sat 07 Feb 2015
With Stranraer facing Dundee in the Scottish Cup and all remaining League One clashes postponed due to the poor weather, Peterhead had an excellent chance to leapfrog their rivals with a win at Station Park.
Boss Jim McInally had overseen the Blue Toon’s impressive run of 13 points from a possible 15 and was delighted to have immovable defender Scott Ross is back in contention for a start following a return from suspension.
However Saturday proved to be a disappointing trip to Station Park for Peterhead. A challenging game against the Loons was made more difficult by a first-half sending off for goal threat Rory McAllister.
Chris Templeman opened the scoring for the home side in the 33 minute with a left-footed shot from close range before McAllister’s sending off for a second yellow card offence in the 41 minute changed the complexion of the tie.
Gavin Swankie’s right footed shot from a tight angle put Forfar two goals to the good in the 53 minute before lively Blue Toon full back Cammy Kerr pulled one back seven minutes later.
Sadly Swankie added insult to injury in the final moments with a third goal for Forfar, leaving Jim McInally and his players with plenty to reflect on after an afternoon which could have ended with them in the playoff zone.
Sadly the visitors fell to a 2-0 defeat against the Scottish League One leaders at Stair Park. The south-west has proved a difficult hunting ground for Jim McInally’s men this season but Peterhead went into the clash on the back of a reasonably strong run of form. The squad was also bolstered by the arrival of former Dons midfielder Gary McDonald.
But despite plenty of Blue Toon possession, a barrage of attempts from Stephen Aitken’s side led to goals for first Jamie Longworth in the 28th minute and then from Jon McShane immediately after the break.
New signing McDonald joined fellow new boy Kevin Dzierzawski in the starting lineup but fell to defeat on his debut. Striker Rory McAllister missed the clash at Stair Park through suspension.
Stranraer: Mitchell, Pettigrew, Rumsby, McKeown, Longridge, Winter, Bell (Gallagher) Aitken, Gibson, McShane (Malcolm), Longworth (Stoney). Subs: Malcolm, Stirling, Robertson, Russell, Gallagher, Tobin, Stoney.
Peterhead: Smith, Kerr, Strachan, Ross, Donaldson (Brown), Smith, Dzierzawksi, Redman, Riley (Rodgers), McDonald, Cox (McLaren). Subs: Jarvie, Brown, Rodgers, McLaren.
Peterhead 2
Ayr United 0
Sat 21 Feb 2015
The Blue Toon claimed their first points of the month with a deserved victory over Ayr. Before kick off the Honest Men trailed Peterhead by 11 points and Jim McInally’s side had a game in hand. Nevertheless the home side were jittery and still searching for their first points in February having fallen to defeats against both Forfar and Stranraer.
Peterhead stopper Graeme Smith was called into action twice in quick succession early on to deny both Ryan Donnelly and David Robertson. Blue Toon striker Andy Rodgers curled wide in the 20th minute before shots from Gary McDonald, David Cox and Kevin Dzierzawski were saved.
Despite the early first half pressure, Peterhead took the lead thanks to a fine Gary McDonald header with less than 11 minutes left on the clock.
Then Fraser McLaren was brought down in the box, giving Andy Rodgers the perfect opportunity to seal the result from the spot and score his second league goal of the campaign in the process.
Peterhead: Smith, Kerr, Ross, Strachan, Noble, Redman, McDonald, Dzierzawski, Riley, Rodgers, Cox. Subs: Brown, Donaldson, Smith, McLaren, Jarvie.
Ayr United: Hutton, Devlin, McGovern, Neill, McKenna, Murray, Crawford, Robertson, Donald, Donnelly, Preston. Subs: Beattie, Blakeman, Gilmour, Nisbet, Muir, Forrest, Newman.
Peterhead 1
Morton 3
Sat 28 Feb 2015
The Blue Toon slumped to a disappointing home defeat to in-form Morton after conceding two late goals. Peterhead took the lead in the 56th minute when Sean Crighton brought down Andy Rodgers in the box to set the 31-year-old striker up for his second penalty strike in as many games.
Peterhead could only hold the lead for five minutes though before Declan McManus levelled the score. Then despite several good chances for Jim McInally’s men, McManus and substitute Ross Caldwell secured the three points with goals in the 87th and 90th minutes respectively.
Peterhead: Smith, Kerr, Ross, Strachan, Noble, Redman, McDonald, Dzierzawski, Riley (Stevenson 73), Rodgers, Cox (Brown 81). Subs: Brown, Donaldson, Smith, McLaren, Stevenson, Jarvie.
Greenock Morton: Gaston, Kilday, Crighton, Milojevic Bjekovic, Russell, Pepper, O’Ware, Forbes, McCluskey (Miller 91), MacDonald (Caldwell 68), McManus. Subs: McKee, Scullion, McLuskey, Miller, Caldwell, Adam.
The League One sides shared the spoils after a breathless finish to the mid-week clash at Somerset Park. Despite a late Ayr United equaliser, the result bumped Peterhead up to sixth in the table.
Nicky Devlin headed the home side into the lead after less than three minutes before new signing Gary McDonald restored parity nine minutes later.
The Honest Men took a narrow 2-1 lead into the dressing room at half time after former Scotland hitman Craig Beattie scored in the 30th minute.
Peterhead then once again levelled, this time captain Steven Noble netting with less than 20 minutes remaining on referee Craig Charleston’s watch.
Jordon Brown thought he had hit the winner for Jim McInally’s side when he neatly finished from a pass from fellow subsitute Nicky Riley in the 86th minute. But with only seconds to go Jordan Preston equalised, leaving the two sides to share the spoils.
Peterhead: Smith, Kerr, Ross, McDonald, Noble, Stevenson, Dzierzawksi, Strachan, Redman, Rodgers, Cox. Subs: McAllister, Brown, Riley, Smith, McLaren, MacDonald.
Ayr: Hutton, Devlin, Murphy, McKenna, Murray, McGovern, Crawford, Blakeman, Donald, Preston, Beattie. Subs: Forrest, Robertson, Donnelly, Neill, Gilmour, McCracken, Newman.
Peterhead 3
Forfar Athletic 2
Tue 10 Mar 2015
Gary McDonald’s third goal since arriving at Balmoor secrued all three points for the Blue Toon against a talented Forfar side. Dick Campbell brought his Sky Blues the short journey up to A90 to do battle with Peterhead at Balmoor on Tuesday evening.
An early goal from Gavin Swankie put the visitors ahead until two goals in quick succession from Jamie Redman and then Andy Rodgers fired Jim McInally’s men into the lead for the break.
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Stuart Malcolm saw red after pushing Andy Rodgers to the ground only yards from the referee and only moments after fouling the striker.
Nevertheless, a late equaliser from Danny Denholm – who headed home a freekick from Iain Campbell – appeared to have rescued a point for Campbell’s side.
Denholm’s goal was, however, cancelled out when McDonald poked the ball home from three yards and ensured a home win for Peterhead.
This evening Dick Campbell’s Sky Blues have made the short trip up the A90 to do battle with Peterhead at Balmoor.
Jim McInally: “With Ayr losing tonight we don’t have to be looking over our shoulders quite so much. We’re in a good place.”
Peterhead: Smith, Kerr, Noble, Strachan, Ross, McDonald, Dzierzawski, Redman, Rodgers, Stevenson, Cox. Subs: Jarvie, McAllister, Riley, Brown, Smith, Donaldson, Cowie.
Forfar: Douglas, Travis, Baxter, Malcolm, Dods, Young, Dale, Campbell, Templeman, Swankie, Malin. Subs: King, Hilson, Husband, Fotheringham, Denholm, Kader, Dunlop.
Stirling Albion 2
Peterhead 1
Sat 21 Mar 2015
Peterhead went into their clash with a Binos side rooted to the bottom of the League One table full of confidence following a 3-0 victory of Brechin. But despite an early goal from Rory McAllister, who netted with a deflected free-kick, the Blue Toon fell to a surprise defeat. Lewis Coult levelled the score for the home side with a right-footed strike – his first goal for the Forthbank club.
And after prolific Peterhead midfielder Gary McDonald hit the bar, Coult set up Andrew stirling for a close range goal which secured only the Binos’ third win of the season.
Peterhead: Smith, Kerr, Smith, Ross, Noble, Dzierzawski, Strachan, McDonald, Cox, McAllister, Stevenson. Subs: Rodgers, Riley, Brown, Cowie, Donaldson, MacDonald.
Stirling: Reidford, McGeachie, Cummins, Smith, Forsyth, Hamilton, Comrie, Robertson, Stirling, Coult, Cunningham. Subs: Smith, Johnston, Weir, Paton, Paterson, Davidson, Shepherd.
The Blue Toon travelled down the A90 to Glebe Park midweek to face Brechin for the second time in 10 days. The meeting earlier this month was The City’s first defeat in 18 games and brought an end to a record-equaling run.
Despite a quick-fire double from Gary McDonald and captain Steven Noble midway through the first half, Brechin clung on to secure a point against the Blue Toon. A 43rd minute strike from Colin Hamilton was followed by an agonisingly late injury time penalty from Bobby Barr.
Peterhead: Smith, Kerr, Strachan, Ross, Noble, Dzierzawski, McDonald, Redman, Stevenson, Riley, McAllister. Subs: Rodgers, Cox, Brown, Smith, Donaldson, MacDonald.
Brechin: Smith, McLean, McCormack, McLauchlan, Hamilton, Fusco, Molloy, McNeil, Masson, Barr, Jackson. Subs: Thomson, Ferguson, Durojaiye, Jackson, Tapping. Tough.
Peterhead 1
Stranraer 2
Sat 28 Mar 2015
Peterhead welcomed League One leaders Stranraer to Balmoor for what proved to be yet another disappointing clash with the Stair Park side. Stranraer have proved to be a bogey team for Peterhead, with the Blue Toon having already lost four times to Stuart Aitken’s side this season. Despite a strong first half, goals from Willie Gibson and Jamie Longworth prolonged that pain to a run of five defeats in a row against The Blue’s in all competitions.
The home side started without frontman Rory McAllister who sustained a back injury in the midweek game against Brechin. Andy Rodgers started up front instead and continued his good run of form with a 34th minute goal. The mercurial striker pounced on a rebound from a thunderous Jamie Stevenson freekick, turning the ball past David Mitchell.
For a brief moment Jim McInally’s men looked to have broken their Stranraer curse when David Cox poked the ball home from a corner, but the linesman flagged for a foul on Mitchell instead.
Buoyed by their good fortune, the visitors staged an impressive second half fight back. Willie Gibson collected Chris Aitken’s cut back in the 57th minute and levelled the tie before prolific goalscorer Jamie Longworth hauled his side into the lead with less than 10 minutes to go. Despite a frantic final few moments, the league leaders hung on and secured a massive three points.
Peterhead – Smith, Kerr, Noble, Strachan, Ross, Smith, Dzierzawski, Redman, Rodgers, Stevenson, Cox. Subs: Jarvie, Brown, McDonald, Donaldson, Cowie, Riley.
Stranraer – Mitchell, Pettigrew, Longridge, Rumsby, McKeown, Aitken, Winter, Gallagher, Malcolm, Longworth, GIbson. Subs: Tobin, Bell, Stirling, Robertson, Russell, Stoney.
Peterhead 1
Dunfermline Athletic 1
Sat 04 Apr 2015
Saturday’s Balmoor clash between Peterhead and Dunfermline was something of a grudge match, with bad blood running throughout the ties these two teams have contested this season.
The visitors took the lead after 20 minutes when – as if in slow motion – Michael Moffat ghosted in at the back post to nod the ball across Graeme Smith and off the far post into the net. Dunfermline deservedly led at half time thanks to that strike, and Jim McInally was hampered by a hamstring injury to Jamie Stevenson which forced an early subsitition.
The second half grew more and more frantic as both sides fought to cling onto hope of a playoff finish. Then in the 78th minute who else but Andy Rodgers – The Pars’ fans pantomime villain – popped up to level the game. After a phenomenal burst into the box from captain Steven Noble, who heroically stayed on his feet to square the ball, Rodgers lashed home from six yards.
Despite the thrilling finale, the game ended 1-1 and effectively brought the curtain down on the season for both sides.
Something of a grudge match here at Balmoor today. There has been bad blood between Blue Toon and Dunfermline throughout the season, and now the two face off for the last time at Balmoor.
Peterhead: Smith, Kerr, Noble, Strachan, Ross, McDonald, Dzierzawski, Redman, McAlliser, Stevenson, RIley. Subs: Jarvie, Rodgers, Brown, Cox, Smith, Donaldson, Cowie.
Dunfermline: Scully, Millen, Whittle, Maritin, Buchanan, McAusland, Geggan, Falkingham, Smith, Moffat, Hopkirk. Subs: Wilson, Barrowman, Urquhart, Spence, Thomson, El Bakhtaoui, Byrne.
Despite sitting only one place below the visitors, the embattled Honest Men were separated from Jim McInally’s side by colossal 17 points before kick off and were scrapping with Stenhousemuir to avoid the relegation playoff.
Despite two first half goals for Ayr United, it proved to be a near-miraculous turnaround for the visitors who eventually triumphed 4-2.
Alan Forrest gave the home side the lead after 18 minutes before Jordan Preston doubled the advantage moments later, sending his beleaguered side into a two goal lead.
But then Andy Rodgers – in a rich vein of form and so often the hero this season – popped up again to net at the end of the half and give Jim McInally some hope of a come back going into the break.
The second half was then an entirely different encounter when Jordon Brown – in for the injured Jamie Stevenson – power a quickfire double past David Hutton.
Late on Gary McDonald, not to be outdone by his colleagues at Somerset Park, added to the tally and sealed an impressive three points.
Peterhead: Smith, Donaldson, Strachan, Smith, Noble, Redman, Dzierzawski, McDonald, Brown, McAllister, Rodgers. Subs: Riley, Cowie, Ross, MacDonald.
Ayr United: Hutton, Campbell, Murphy, McKenna, Devlin, Blakeman, McGovern, Crawford, Donald, Forrest, Preston. Subs: Robertson, Nisbet, Gilmour, Beattie, Murray, Neill, Newman.
Peterhead 1
Forfar Athletic 0
Sat 18 Apr 2015
In a match the had huge repercussions of the League One title race, Peterhead repeated their achievement of five weeks ago and triumphed over Dick Campbell’s men. Forfar had been leading the title race and looked set for automatic promotion until Jamie Redman nodded home a cross from captain Steven Noble. Redman, starting in midfield, went close early on as the home side started more promisingly. Former Scotland international keeper Rab Douglas was then forced to make two good saves to keep out strikes from in-form former Don Jordon Brown. The result lifted the Blue Toon up into sixth place while the visitors fell to third behind Stranraer and Morton.
Peterhead: Smith, Smith, Ross, Strachan, Nkble, Redman, McDonald, Brown, Riley, McAllister, Rodgers. Subs: Dzierzawski, Cowie, Cox, Donaldson, Macdonald.
Forfar: Douglas, Dunlop, Travis, Dods, Campbell, Kader, Young, Fotheringham, Swankie, Templeman, Hilson. Subs: Husband, Denholm, Dale, Malin, Malcolm, Hay, King.
Peterhead 0
Airdrieonians 1
Sat 25 Apr 2015
The diamonds claimed all three points at Balmoor as Peterhead failed to score at home for the first time since November 1. Despite a plethora of chances at both ends the only goal of the game fell to Airdrieonians’ Liam Lindsay in the 83rd minute.
Lindsay’s strike proved to be the final goal at Balmoor in this, Peterhead’s first SPFL League One campaign. The on loan defender headed home past Graeme Smith in the Blue Toon goal with less than 10 minutes to play and although Jim McInally’s men battled on, the home side could not make it 13 scoring games in a row at Balmoor.
Airdrieonians went into Saturday’s clash with a slender chance of a play off place but ultimately missed out to Brechin City.
Peterhead: Smith, Kerr, Strachan, Ross, Noble, Dzierzawski, McDonald, Redman, Riley, McAllister, Brown. Subs: Rodgers, Cox, Smith, Cowie, Donaldson, MacDonald.
Airdrieonians: McNeil, Bain, Gasparotto, Lindsay, Boyle, Morton, Docherty, Fitzpatrick, Fraser, Prunty, McHugh. Subs: O’Neil, Watt, Blockley, Gray, Ferguson, Boyle, Stewart.