Davie Nicholls took charge of the team against Dunfermline Athletic following the resignation of Jim McInally during the week with the stand in coach fielding an unchanged starting XI from the previous weeks’ point at Airdrie. Dunfermline Athletic travelled to Balmoor in fine form leading the league and eager to keep their good run of results intact. Despite the high volume of rain and wind in the days before the match, the pitch was in immaculate condition which is testament to the ground staff. Both sides played three at the back, five in the middle and with two up top meaning that they were looking to create a lot of width within the game.
Peterhead kicked off playing with the wind at their back and immediately tried to force an opening in the visitor’s defence. Julien Carre with an in-swinging corner guided the ball towards the back post where Jack Wilkie just failed to connect with the ball in front of goal. However, the promising start to the game was undone in the ninth minute when a free kick, conceded wide right, was cut across to Matthew Todd whose long range 30 yard effort seemed to hit Ryan Strachan’s foot. Strachan’s touch, aided by the wind, changed the direction of Todd’s shot and sent a looping ball over and behind Tom Ritchie into the goal for the Fifers to take the lead.h
An applause was held on the eleventh minute to mark Jim McInally’s 11 years’ service to Peterhead which was warmly received.
Jason Brown hit the bar shortly after but his positioning was judged offside by the East Stand lineman. Then on 18 minutes, Dunfermline doubled their lead. The ball was fed out to Chris Mochrie following a strong run by Sam Fisher. Mochrie took a touch, evaded Danny Strachan and hit a left footed strike from the edge of the box beyond Tom Ritchie.
Three minutes later good intricate passing from Hewitt, McCarthy, Jack Brown and Wilkie created a magnificent chance to pull one back when Ryan Dow’s effort forced a great save from Deniz Mehmet in the top right corner of his goal. Mochrie thought he had scored his second just after the half hour mark but saw his shot creep narrowly passed the upright as Dunfermline pushed to kill the game off.
After the interval clear chances were few and far between. Todorov could have made the result safe for the visitors but saw his shot glide over the crossbar. At the other end McCarthy had an effort well covered by Mehmet following good work down the wing by Ryan Dow. With four minutes to go Jason Brown had a great chance from an Andy McCarthy cross. Standing almost on the penalty spot, Brown’s header was on target but saved easily by Mehmet in the Dunfermline Athletic goal
Peterhead FC
1. Tom Ritchie
5. Jason Brown Y90+1
6. Ryan Strachan ©
4. Andrew McDonald
15. Danny Strachan
19. Julien Carre
8. Andrew McCarthy
26. Michael Hewitt Y57
22. Jack Wilkie Y79
12. Jack Brown replaced by Max Gillies 61
10. Ryan Dow replaced by Jordon Brown 74
Subs
27. Sandy Wood GK
21. Euan Murray
16. David Wilson
2. Max Gillies replaced Jack Brown 61
17. Robbie McGale
7. Prince Asare
14. Robbie Scullion
18. Jordon Brown replaced Ryan Down 74
Dunfermline Athletic FC
1. Deniz Mehmet
15. Sam Fisher Y2
4. Kyle Benedictus © Y57
12. Rhys Brown
2. Aron Comrie
11. Chris Mochrie
8. Joe Chalmers
26. Matthew Todd replaced by Chris Hamilton
3. Josh Edwards
9. Craig Wighton Y44 replaced by Kane Ritchie-Hosler
10. Nikolay Todorov
Subs
20. Max Little GK
6. Kyle MacDonald
27. Sam Young
21. Kane Ritchie-Holser replaced Craig Wighton
28. Andrew Todd
5. Chris Hamilton replaced Matthew Todd
29. Taylor Sutherland
Referee – Stewart Luke; AR1 – Alastair Mather; AR2 – Gordon McCabe.
