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United finish on a high
FRASERBURGH United signed off their season in emphatic style by knocking Cruden Bay for seven at College Park, with super sub Heron grabbing a hat trick.
Fraserburgh United 7;
Cruden Bay 1.
The defeat also consigned Bay to relegation to the third tier of Junior football for the first time in their illustrious history.
United's manager Allan told the Herald: 'It was a pleasing display in tough conditions and end of season lethargy.
"We were shaky early on, but managed to re-group and score some excellent goals. I must take this opportunity to thank the fans for their support all season and the continued excellent work of the committee, and in particular chairman Gordon Laird.'
United struggled in the opening exchanges, many of the team seemed to have their end of season holidays on their thoughts, as a long kick out from Bay keeper Casper found Cuthbert who had ran through a static United back line to home in on Turriff's goal, however his effort was weak and Turriff gratefully gathered.
Moments later and a carbon copy attack from Bay again undid the United defence however Cuthbert lobbed wide when it seemed he would surely score.
United finally got to grips with the game as Brown and Ritchie, making his debut, began spraying the passes right and left.
With Buchan and R. Noble on the flanks eager to get forward at every opportunity United took the ascendancy. Firstly Hay fired wide before Buchan embarked the first of numerous attempts to hit the target, without much success it must be said,as he fired over from 25yards.
United's forward wave eventually yielded a goal, Noble's corner was only half cleared to the corner of the 18 yard box where Lawrence lashed a shot goalward which Casper could only palm out to the predatory Bisset who volleyed home from 8 yards.
United almost doubled their advantage with their next attack, Noble and Ritchie exchanged passes before Noble swung the ball out to Buchan whose right foot shot clipped the bar on its way over.
On 30 minutes, United did double their advantage, a lovely move down the United right saw Ritchie release Noble, his cross to the penalty spot was met on the volley by Lawrence and he flicked the ball beyond Casper.
Bay briefly found a way back into the game as another huge clearance found Cuthbert and this time he managed to slip the ball beyond Turriff to half the deficit.
Undeterred, United pressed forward and were duly rewarded with another strike. With Bay's defence marking shadows Bisset whipped the ball into the back post where Buchan finally hit the target with a neat downward header that took a significant deflection off Bay sweeper Barber and looped into the net.
The second half began as the first ended, United in complete control and pressing forward. Within the opening minutes Buchan broke the offside trap and scampered through on goal, with Lawrence and Bisset square Buchan opted to shoot and rather inevitably fired wide with just Casper to beat.
United did get their fourth, fine work from Ritchie in the middle of the park saw him slip the ball to Lawrence on the edge of the box, despite heavy attention from Chambers, Lawrence turned and fired a fantastic shot into the top corner to grab his second of the match.
On 65 minutes Bisset made way for Heron and with his first touch had opened his account. Neat play from Brown and Hay saw them sneak the ball through to Heron in the six yard box and the tubby striker managed to bundle the ball through a forest of legs for United's fifth.
As the game wound down Bay resorted to cynically and aggressive tackling, but United's discipline held and they were rewarded with 10 minutes to go, as Heron reacted quickest to stab the ball home after McLeman's shot had been well saved by Casper.
Heron completed his hat-trick in the final minutes, as Buchan finally did what he does best and delivered a pin-point cross to the back post where Heron thundered the ball into the net via the cross bar to complete the scoring.
Special mention must be made to United stalwart Brian Turriff, who announced his retirement after the game. He goes with the best wishes and thanks for his service from all involved at Fraserburgh United JFC.
Fraserburgh Utd: (4-4-2) Turriff, Hay, Ross, Clarke, Ritchie, Noble, Brown, Ritchie, Buchan, Bisset, Lawrence. Subs: S.Cowe, Forbes, McLeman, Heron, Davidson.
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Weather for Fraserburgh
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
