INVERURIE LOCO WORKS (Harlaw Park)

2020/21 ABERDEENSHIRE AND DISTRICT FA CUP FINAL, FORMARTINE UNITED 1-3 FRASERBURGH, ATTENDANCE: 400 (est)

The best laid plans and all that. 

When I arranged this trip to the North of Scotland, my Wednesday night game of choice was Strathspey Thistle versus Golspie Sutherland to be followed by Fort William versus Fraserburgh on the Saturday.

Unfortunately Golspie withdrew from the North of Scotland Cup, forfeiting the tie, because of Covid. This was then followed by the news that Fort William had been ordered to play all their games away from home this season due to the condition of their pitch.

With nothing much else on offer,  it was hobsons choice, so I pointed the car in the direction of Inverurie. I don't mean to sound disparaging about the match of choice, it is just that if I was going to Harlaw Park, I would have preferred to watch Inverurie Loco Works play at home.

Tonight Harlaw Park was the neutral venue for the Aberdeenshire Cup Final, which was held over from last season because of Covid-19. The finalists Formartine United and Fraserburgh played each other on the opening day of the Highland League last Saturday, with The Broch winning 3-0 at Bellslea Park.

 

The Aberdeenshire Cup was first competed for in 1887/88, with Aberdeen FC being the inaugural winners. They currently hold the record for most wins, 35.

A close encounter was anticipated this evening,  with both finalists recent winners of the Cup. Formartine won the trophy in 2017/18 whilst Fraserburgh are the current holders after winning last time the final was played.

Fraserburgh started the brightest and had the best of the early chances. It was slightly against the run of play that Formartine took the lead after 20 minutes when a long ball was headed into the path of Scott Lisle who fired home from inside the area.

United defended resolutely and were happy to play on the counter attack and went into the half time break leading by that solitary goal, despite the woodwork rescuing them on a couple of occasions.

Within five minutes of the restart, a long punt into the box was allowed to bounce by the defender and, as the goalkeeper came out to attempt to collect, Paul Campbell nipped in to head home an equaliser for Fraserburgh (pictured left).

It was game on now. After 58 minutes The Broch took the lead when Scott Barbour picked the ball up and curled a beauty into the top corner of the net from 20 yards out. A stunning strike indeed.

It was Campbell again who ensured that Fraserburgh retained the trophy after 77 minutes when he latched onto a back pass, that fell just short, and rounded 'keeper before smashing the ball home.

A deserved victory for Fraserburgh and a very good match to watch for the neutral.