Kinnoull play the North End game

Mar 10 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

KINNOULL were away to North End in the Premier League and they had a deserved 2–0 win over the Dundee side.

Kinnoull started off in a sprightly mood and after eight minutes they came close to taking the lead.

Scott McManus hit a corner into the heart of the penalty box and centre half Neil Wilkie, who had come up in support of his attack, rose to connect with a header which he powered goalwards and it looked net bound until keeper Neil Ferrie produced an excellent save to deny Kinnoull the lead.

A couple of minutes later, the keeper produced another first class save when Ross Gunnion hit the ball from just outside the penalty box only to see Ferrie deny him the pleasure of putting his side ahead.

North end retaliated after those near setbacks and Stephen Williamson shot a good cross into the Kinnoull penalty box but there was none of his team mates up to take advantage and the ball was cleared.

Midway through the half, it looked as if Kinnoull were going to break the deadlock when a good move left Robbie Holden in a one to one with the keeper who came off his line. Holden hit the ball past him and it looked to be a homer until full back Gary Robertson appeared from nowhere and knocked the ball out for a corner.

In another one of their sporadic raids on the Kinnoull goal, North End striker Lindsay Gray broke through but he could not quite control the ball and his rather weak shot was easily dealt with.

Kinnoull finally broke the deadlock with just two minutes of the half remaining.

Steve McAllister shimmied his way past a defender and laid the ball off to Jon Kelly, who was somewhere around thirty yards from the North End goal.

The striker steadied himself and let go and the ball simply flew into the top corner of the net for what was a really spectacular goal.

Kinnoull should have increased their lead in fifty seven minutes when a ball was crossed into the North End goalmouth and it caused a real scramble.

The ball eventually landed with Robbie Holden who was eight yards from the goal, but his rather weak shot was easily saved by keeper Neil Ferrie.

Eight minutes later, North End had a chance to get back on level terms: a cross from their left wing landed in the Kinnoull penalty box and North End full back Gary Robertson, who had joined in the attack, connected with the ball, but he blasted the chance over the bar.

After that, Kinnoull let off continued to have most of the attacking play, but it took them to the 84th minute to finally clinch the points.

A short pass back from a North End player to his goalkeeper was pounced on by Steve McManus.

The goalkeeper came racing off his goal line to try and thwart Steve but it was to no avail as Steve kept his cool and took the ball past him and thumped it into the back of the empty net to make it 2–0.

Blairgowrie were also engaged in the Premier League.

They were away to Oakley and this Blairwood Park encounter saw the teams share four goals and the points.

Jeanfield Swifts were at home to Lochgelly Albert and Swifts went on to win this encounter by 3–0.

The first of their goals came after only seven minutes: Nial Cassidy had a great run down the right wing, which took him past a number of opponents.

Nial then hit a cross into the heart of the Lochgelly goal mouth. Sean Fergus, with a deft flick, steered the ball past the keeper for what was a well-worked and taken goal.

Ten minutes later Swifts had a chance to increase their lead when John Anderson ran on to a through ball and was left in a one to one situation with the keeper who came off best as he managed to block the striker’s shot.

Lochgelly came much more into the game after this and on the half hour mark they had a great chance to square the game when James Forester was through and was left with only Swift’s keeper Andy Mackie to beat, but he blasted the ball over the bar.

The game was on the hour mark when Kevin Fowler laid off a pass to Sean Fergus who, with only the keeper to beat, hit the ball past the post.

Swifts were really on top now and they had their opponents very much on the defensive.

In 72 minutes, they increased their lead to 2–0.

Kevin Fowler, after an excellent solo run, cracked a well struck shot which was right on target but was parried by the keeper.

The ball, however, broke away from him and it was met by Chris Dodd who hammered it into the back of the net from close range.

The Swifts completed the scoring when John Anderson met with a cross from Gerrard Kelly and his powerful header from ten yards made it 3–0 for Swifts.

Bankfoot and Luncarty were both away from home in the Central League.

Bankies were guests of Lochore Welfare, while Kirkcaldy YM were Luncarty’s hosts.

Bankfoot could have gone in the lead against Lochore at the interval when Gavin Mackie laid on a chance for Steven Moon, but he blasted the ball over the bar from eight yards and the half ended goalless.

The second half had only been in operation for a minute when the Bankies broke the deadlock with an excellent goal from John Mitchell. John collected a pass from Gavin Mackie and as he made for goal, the Lochore keeper came off his goal line to narrow the angle.

John, however, beat him with a deft lob that went past him into the back of the net.

Lochore got back on level terms thanks to a spectacular twenty four yard strike from Craig Reynolds on the hour mark.

There was no further scoring although Neil McDougal, John Mitchell and Scott McCabe all had reasonable chances; had they been taken, they would have given the Bankies a win they deserved.

Luncarty were trailing by 3–0 at the interval to Kirkcaldy YM but had the Bleachers taken two very good chances that came their way, they would not have been left with such a mountain to climb in the second half.

The YM increased their lead to 4–0 and while they had their fair share of the attacking play in the second half, the Bleachers could not put the ball in the back of the net.

Coupar Angus turned in a really excellent performance in their away north league game against Broughty Ferry who currently top the league table.

Coupar went on to hold their highly rated opponents to a one all draw. Coupar were first to score.

George Grier was brought down in the penalty box, and way through the first half and from the resultant spot kick

John Blackwood rifled the ball into the back of the net.

Broughty Ferry equalised ten minutes later when Lee Bertie connected with a corner from James Russell to head the ball past Coupar keeper Arik.

Coupar almost snatched the winner in the final minute of the game when their striker Derek Lomas had a chance but unfortunately Derek hit his shot past the post.

Scone Thistle had a friendly against Methven Amateurs which they won by 4–1. Scott McManus netted a hat trick with Scott Ballingall their other scorer.

Perthshire Juniors

SATURDAY’S results: Bukta Teamwear Com Leagues:

Premier League: North End 0, Kinnoull 2; Oakley United 2, Blairgowrie 2.

Central League: Jeanfield Swifts 3, Lochgelly Albert 0; Lochore Welfare 1, Bankfoot Athletics 1; Kirkcaldy YM 4, Luncarty.

North League: Broughty Athletics 1, Coupar Angus 1.

Friendly: Scone Thistle 4, Methven Amateurs 1.