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Elgin dent United title hopes
FRASERBURGH United passed up a golden opportunity to take a big step to the 1st Division title at College Park on Saturday as they suffered a shock loss to New Elgin whilst league leaders Inverness drew at Islavale.
The defeat means United have to take 11 points from their final final games to ensure the title is theirs.
United dominated their opponents for long spells on Saturday and missed numerous chances as Elgin defended resolutely and came away with a hard fought win. The defeat also ended United's 11 match unbeaten run, including 10 wins, and was also their first league defeat at home this season.
United included Brown for Lawrence and Craig Ritchie came in for the injured MacIntosh at right back.
United came out of the blocks at a furious pace and Cowe signalled their intent as he thudded a shot wide in the opening minutes. McLeman's set-piece delivery caused New Elgin problems all afternoon and his first corner saw Bisset fire over after a scramble in the six yard box.
On 12 minutes New Elgin scored against the run of play, McGettrick stole unmarked down the left and his scuffed cross was mis-controlled by Munro on the edge of the United box, however Turner pounced on the loose ball and flicked a lovely pass through to Connolly who managed to toe poke the ball into the net off Dunbar's legs for the Elgin lead.
United responded immediately, McLeman's free kick from deep right arrowed into the box beyond the Elgin defence and Davey Ross, at full stretch was inches from making contact at the back post.
United continued their push, and another McLeman corner found Hay unmarked at the back post but he headed wide with the goal at his mercy. Elgin offered little in the way of attack, content to soak up the pressure and attempt to hit on the break.
United spurned a golden chance on 21 minutes when neat play from Bisset and Brown on the united left saw them roll the ball into Heron inside the Elgin box, he took a touch and was then clumsily bundled over by Arnott for a Broch penalty.
Top scorer Bisset fired low to the Miele right and the Elgin stopper produced a fine save to keep his team infront.
On 33mins United, and Hay in particular, heaved a huge sigh of relief as Elgin were denied what looked to be a solid penalty claim. Hay dallied on the ball at left back and Turner nicked the ball off his toe and sped into the United box, Hay lunged in with a tackle and did not appear to get the ball but Elgin's penalty claims were waved away by referee Gordon.
United fashioned one final chance on 44 minutes when another goalmouth scramble ensued after C. Ritchie's right wing cross fell to Ross and his volley was well held by Miele. Broch came out for the second half fired up and immediately won a corner that came to nothing, straight from Miele's kick out Munro found himself through on goal, but Brown's pressure and Dunbar's excellent stop kept the score at one nil.
United were pushing furiously for a goal, Hay's left wing cross was missed by everyone and S.Noble at the backpost could not react quickly enough to turn the ball in.
As the game dripped slowly away from United, Lawrence, R. Noble and Forbes were sent on to salvage something. Heron's cross deep to the back post saw S. Noble and Cowe get in each other's way before Miele gathered. The desperation tactics from United players became more evident as they began to pump high ball's into the box that the Elgin defence were dealing with comfortably.
A final half-chance came in the last minute when Cowe's long ball found R. Noble and his first time volley was screwed wide from an acute angle. With that referee Gordon blew for full-time and United were left to reflect upon a missed chance as news filtered through of Inverness's draw.
A despondent United Manager Dale Allan told the Herald afterwards:
"I cannot question the teams effort. We put the work in, got the ball into the box with quality, but at the vital time we could not get the goal. I feel that if we had got one we could have pushed on for a win, but it was not to be.
"We now have stiff game away to Deveronside on Tuesday and then take on a resurgent Islavale at the Broch on Saturday. These are now must win games if we harbour any ambition of winning the title," he said.
Fraserburgh United:- (4-4-2) Dunbar, Hay, C. Ritchie, A. Ritchie, Ross, S. Noble, McLeman, Brown, Heron, Cowe, Bisset. Subs: Lawrence, R. Noble, Forbes, Tait, Farman, Whyte and Taylor.
Presentation night
Fraserburgh United are holding their annual Presentation Night on June 5. The event will see the presenattion of trophies including the Players Player, Player of the Year, Top Goal Scorer, Clubman of the Year and a new one for this year is Goal of the Season.
A spokesman for the Club told the Herald: "We are hoping it will a night for celebration if we win the League!" The event is being held at the Royal British Legion. Tickets are available by calling 01346 517577 or 07899 071921.
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Weather for Fraserburgh
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 16 C
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