Saturday 20 August
Fraserburgh 1 Huntly 1

A late equaliser from Fraserburgh's Russell McBride deprived Huntly of their first win at Bellslea Park in ten years writes Grant Turner.

The home side were forced into a change prior to kick-off when sub Marc Dickson took a knock during the warm-up and was replaced on the subs bench by Stuart Noble. Huntly too were forced to change one of their subs with Richard Craig included for the first time since February 2004 after Richie Taylor was deemed unfit to feature.

The visitors attacked in the first minute and when Levi Stephen sent a free kick into the back post which saw Russell Guild's effort turned round the post by Billy Gordon.
The black and golds came close four minutes later. Good play by Matty Gairns down the right saw the winger run at the home defence but he unfortunately dragged his shot too wide of the goal.

Shortly after, Gavin Wemyss went through at the opposite end of the park and chipped past the advancing Richard Bowman but his attempt went high and wide.

Veteran keeper Gordon was called into action once again to save a low drive by Gary McGowan after the winger came in from the left before Broch striker McBride headed past the post up the other end.

Shortly before the half hour mark, youngster mark Cowie sent in a corner but Ryan Christie's header was wide of the mark.

There was real let-off for the visitors in the 37th minute. Ross Campbell slipped outside the Huntly area to allow Wemyss through on goal. The forward fired in a shot on goal which brought out a great point blank stop from Bowman.

The deadlock was broken four minutes from the break. A short corner on the left was taken quickly by Russell Guild who played to Gary McGowan. McGowan's left wing cross was headed back across goal by Levi Stephen for Jerry O'Driscoll who took his tally to four goals in 5 games after getting in at the back post to finish.

Fraserburgh came close to levelling things up a minute from the interval only for Bowman to tip over a Wemyss effort with a fine save.

Half Time: Fraserburgh 0 Huntly 1

Broch centre half Ryan Christie was the first player to receive a booking from Alan Freeland following dissent in 48 minutes.

Huntly kept up the attacking play into the second half and a quick move down the left wing was McGowan come inside but his effort on goal sailed over.

Neil Reid became the second player booked after a foul on Gavin Wemyss out on the wing.

Richard Bowman again came to the rescue for the visitors with another quick reflex save volley a Wemyss volley in 63 minutes.

A foul on McGowan 25 yards from goal saw Scott Mackie receive a yellow card for his offence and presented Huntly with a dead ball opportunity. Sub Darren Shallicker hit his effort well from 25 yard out but Gordon was on hand to tip the ball over for a corner.

Some good work by the Broch strike force in 78 minutes saw Wemyss hold the ball before playing in McBride whose final effort flew over the crossbar.

With three minutes remaining, Kevin Norris hit a great shot from 30 yards forcing Bowman to tip over the bar. The resultant corner was only partially cleared and Stuart Noble's cross from the left picked out Russell McBride to head in a late equaliser.

The league champions almost snatched all three points into stoppage time when a great through ball from Guild in his own half released McGowan who drove at the home backline but unfortunately for the winger his side-footer went narrowly wide of the post.

The final result has seen Huntly pick up their first points at Bellslea almost 5 years to the day since they last managed a draw at the same venue. However, the black and golds have now gone five away games without a win.