Lossiemouth FC Match Reports - 02-Oct-2004 - Lossiemouth 2 Fraserburgh 5
Scot-Ads Highland League 

Report by Jimmy Shaker; click here for match photos 

Lossiemouths unbeaten home league record was wiped out by a clinical performance from league leaders Fraserburgh, who put on an accomplished display to ensure they remain unbeaten in the league and 8 points ahead of their nearest rivals.

The game started with Fraserburgh pushing upfield in the hope of an early goal. Lossie looked uncomfortable from the off, missing regular centre-half Sim, and Fraserburghs pace and organisational skills meant the ball was seldom out of Lossies half in the opening exchanges. Lossie defended deep, often having to clear their lines from the edge of their six-yard box, and it was becoming a nervous afternoon for the home support.

Just when Lossie appeared to have things under control, gaining more possession and occasionally breaking free of their own half, Fraserburgh took the lead through MILNE who stroked home a pass from Main.

Fraserburgh doubled their advantage after 23 minutes when MURRAY appeared to overhit a cross from the touchline, only to catch Dunn off his line. The ball flew past the stricken keeper and into the back of net.

The second goal appeared to calm the game down, and while Lossie still looked unhappy defending against the Brochs goal machine Michael Stephen, Fraserburgh settled back and allowed Lossie a little more room. The home team took advantage when McMullan went on a mazy run down the right and slipped a pass to MOIR, who scored from ten yards to half the deficit.

Lossie continued to press, and a Biscuits run down the left caught out the Broch defence. He was allowed room to pass to Shalliker, who sent a low shot at Billy Gordon who saved well, and the free ball was cleared before a red shirt could get to it.

Fraserburgh went 3-1 up just after a half hours play, when Russell McBride fed an open Gavin WEYMSS who scored from close range.

HALF TIME - Lossiemouth 1 Fraserburgh 3

8 minutes into the second half and the game was finished as a contest by former Elgin City player Russell MCBRIDE, who put away a cross from Steven Main from all of 6 yards out. Lossie, although now extremely unlikely to get back into the game, continued pressing to see if they could reduce the damage and add another goal or two to the Goals For tally in the league table. Their enthusiasm was rewarded when McIntosh lost his man and found MCMULLAN in space. The hard working midfielder fired a shot at goal which went in off the underside of the bar, and made the scoreline a little more respectable.

There was one more goal to be had, however, and it went the way of Fraserburgh. Steven McIntosh hauled down Russell McBride in the box to concede a last minute penalty. Steve Dunn made an excellent save from Michael Stephen, but once again was helpless to deal with the rebound which was tucked away by Mark COWIE.

Again, Lossie put up a fight against a somewhat more powerful force, but conceding two goals before really starting the game left them with too much to do. Scoring goals continues to prove within the reach of the Coasters, which is heartening, but until they figure out how to stop them at the other end, there will be more nervy afternoons like today over the course of the season. Fraserburgh, on the other hand, will be thinking along the lines of the championship, after winning their first 7 games with the loss of only 6 goals. Their next game is against Clachnicudden, and a victory will send the Broch well in front of the rest.

FULL TIME – Lossiemouth 2 Fraserburgh 5