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Monday, September 14 Buchanhaven Match Report Brilliant sunshine, no wind and a 20 degree temperature was left behind in Banchory, but as soon as we arrived in Peterhead the wind machine was switched on and the temperature dropped by at least 5 degrees. In addition Saints were missing three players with Jack Meldrum, Magnus Barclay and Richard Moir all unavailable for this GA Engineering Inter Region Cup Prelim Round Cup tie. But as in past weeks, the Management used the player pool well and slotted James Smith in at the heart of the defence with Allan Ogston going into right back. Playing with the wind, Banchory got off to the worst possible start when Phil Watson allowed a Hearts player to get the ball instead of clearing first time, leaving James Smith exposed, and everyone was surprised when the referee blew for a penalty for what looked a perfectly good 50/00 challenge. But the striker made the most of it going down like a sack of tatties and he slotted home the penalty himself in the 2nd minute. After that it was all Banchory for the most of the first half. Two minutes after going behind Richard Stainer hit the base of a post from 20 yards. saints kept the pressure up with their three up front and Lewis Shand went close after a Keith Horne corner, but his effort was cleared off the line. Greg Sim never had much to do in saints goal, but he made a good low save holding on to an awkward ball with a Hearts forward ready to pounce. Stuart Skinner with his back to goal lobbed over the goalkeeper but also past the post. But the equaliser came on the 23rd minute and what a goal. Alan McRae made one of his usual bursts out of midfield, passed wide to Horne who's first time bullet like cross found Stainer 8 yards out and the centre forwarded burst the roof of the net with his header. Andrew Courage supporting the forwards in midfield had a pop with a free kick from long range, but the keeper did well to hold the ball, and then Lee Shanks had a volley well held as Banchory continued to dominate. It was all Saints but not just wind assisted punts, a lot of good football was being played. There was a little bit of panic in the Saints defence when Sim was unsure whether to come for the ball or not, but Phil Watson stepped in to clear. Right on half time Courage crossed to the back post where Horne stretched to reach the ball but could not get full control and the ball bobbed past the far post. Right from the restart the Hearst keeper fumbled a cross but managed to recover before Saints could take advantage, and then another Courage cross found Stainer at the back post, but his header went a foot past the post. Hearts also had a headed chance at the other end but it also went past the post. There was controversy 10 minutes into the half though, when a challenge on Horne seemed to go unnoticed by the referee, but the linesman indicated an infringement against the Banchory forward and the referee pointed to the spot. There was a long delay whilst the referee dealt with the Buchanhaven Manager who was red carded, and by that time Horne was obviously not in the mood as the Hearts keeper saved his penalty kick. That seemed to lift the home spirits and they came much more into the game using the wind to their advantage. Sim had to look lively to cut out an awkward cross. And as the saints defence came under more pressure, Shaun Carrol replaced Start Skinner to bolster the midfield. A break down the left and a low cross cum shot went well past Sim's post. Buchanhaven were creating more, but Sim still had no direct saves to make. He did have to look smart diving low to save a low shot after the No. 6 waltzed past the Banchory defence. The wind was causing more problems to the Saints back four but they were up to the challenge. When Banchory got the ball they were always very dangerous on the break, and Courage missed a great chance when he fired straight at the keeper from 12 yards. Then a Shand slack pass allowed Hearts in but the cross went over the bar. But the winner came with 10 minutes remaining, from another fine move. Horne took the ball out to the corner flag, passed back to the supporting Carrol who fired in a first time cross for Lee Shanks to bullet a header past the Hearts keeper. The home side pressed forward but could not get a shot on target, and then at the other end Saints had a couple of chances on target but the keeper saved easily. This was a good win for Banchory although they have played a lot better, but Raemoss park in Peterhead is not one of our favourite grounds so any win will do. Sunnybank are the next opponents away from home in the 1st Round of this Cup. Date to be advised. |
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