THE BRILLIANT BROCH

I've always had a massive liking to Friday night football, It's a perfect way to kick-start the weekend. No matter who you support, the Friday night fixture always seems to garner interest from around the country. So I took the plunge to make the long-ish drive up to the far north-east to take in a match at a ground which many hoppers describe as "bucket list".

A mizzly, gloomy drive up didn't fill me with much optimism about the weather for the evening ahead, but driving just past Mintlaw the rain suddenly dissipated, and with the relief of finally reaching my destination, the buzz of seeing the floodlights in the distance started to take hold, an oddly comforting feeling that ever since I was a kid travelling on away days, I've always liked.

So having reached the ground in plenty time, and with the feel of autumn definitely in the air, I started to watch the Fraserburgh public (some of them fish supper in hand) and the handful of Huntly support filter into the stadium. I dread to think how busy the adjacent Bellslea Bar was, as it seemed a never ending sea of Broch fans were coming out of there and into the ground.

The wonderful looking grandstand, re-named the Jim Adams stand in memory of the clubs honorary chairman, with room for 480 spectators, was celebrating 100 years to the day of existence, and not a lot has changed! Built in 1921 to accommodate Fraserburgh's acceptance into the Highland League, it is still going strong today, and was packed to the rafters for the game. It must also be mentioned that the pitch was in impeccable condition, one of the best I've seen at this level.

With no room to move in some of the tighter parts of the ground, the bumper crowd were treated to a dominant brand of football that saw their team move 6 points clear at the top of the league. From the get-go Broch dominated the game, looking for every opportunity to get a through ball into the attackers. The inevitable breakthrough came on 20 when Paul

Young's cross was finished at close range by Sean Butcher, after the keeper couldn't hold onto the initial shot. Huntly did manage a few minutes of pressure immediately after the goal, forcing a fine save and a corner, but unfortunately for them that was by far their best efforts of the match. A minute before half time Fraserburgh made it 2 and my word what a goal!

The ball broke to Paul Campbell just outside the box and he lashed a sweet strike with the outside of his right boot, the ball floating effortlessly into the bottom left corner. Easily the best goal I've seen on my travels this year.

HT 2-0

The second half started in exactly the same vein ad the first, and the game was put to bed on 54 with Campbells second goal of the evening. Again he was left unmarked on the edge of the box and his shot again found the bottom left corner. Scott Barbour added the fourth on 69 with another strike on the edge of the box.

FT 4-0

In the end a very comfortable win for a team who were probably expected to win. Huntly didn't offer very much on the night but I've seen first hand how good they can be and I am confident they will bounce back from this. Broch in my eyes seem to be genuine title contenders and I wouldn't be surprised if they found themselves in the running for promotion

to League 2 sometime very soon, I do hope to be back at Bellslea very soon too, up there with one of my favourites!

The full photo gallery for this game can be found under the photo gallery tab.

Fraserburgh 4-0 Huntly

Butcher (20), Campbell (44, 54), Barbour (69)

Friday 03/09/2021, 20:00

Bellslea Park, Fraserburgh

Highland League

Admission: £10

Crowd: TBC

New Team #77

MOTM: Paul Young, Fraserburgh #5. Dominated the game from the holding midfield role, through balls were key and made important advance forward when free to do so.