Peterhead take the steam out of Locos to lift shield

TWO FIRST-HALF GOALS PUT BLUE TOON ON THEIR WAY AGAINST INVERURIE AT BALMOOR

By DAVE EDWARDS

Published:

Peterhead lifted the Aberdeenshire Shield for the first time since 1998 with a comfortable victory on their own ground over Highland League outfit Inverurie Locos.

First-half goals from Dougie Cameron and a Michael Morrison own-goal set the Blue Toon on their way and David Ross added a third just after the break.

Locos' defenders Michael Morrison and Steven Park both proved their fitness before kick-off while Peterhead decided not to take their south-based players Bobby Mann, Nicky Clark and John Stewart up for this one.

The brilliant new Balmoor floodlights shone through the gloom as 590 hardy souls braved the bitterly cold wind, sleet and rain.

Paul Young had the game's first shot at goal on the quarter hour mark but Locos' goalkeeper Andy Reid was well-positioned to palm the ball down and collect his 20-yard drive. Four minutes later Locos had a great chance to take the lead when an Andy Bisset cross found Park unmarked eight yards out but his header sailed high over the top with only Paul Jarvie to beat.

Peterhead opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when a David Ross effort from a Neil McVitie cross was blocked.

The ball ran to Dougie Cameron who blasted it high past the helpless Reid from 12-yards.

The home side doubled its advantage 10 minutes later when a Cameron cross into the box was sliced into the air by Morrison and the ball looped over the stranded Reid for an own goal.

Just before the break Locos were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box but the wall blocked Richie Singer's effort.

Peterhead increased their lead six minutes after the interval when David Ross capitalised on some slack defending and former Locos youngster rammed the ball home from six yards.

Inverurie battled away bravely in the second period against the elements.

Manager Dave Cormie went for broke by bringing on his three substitutes but the well-organised home defence confidently handled anything the visitors could throw at them.

Locos almost grabbed a consolation goal in the 77th minute when substitute Brian Neill played in Craig Ross but he snatched at the ball and pulled it wide from 10-yards.

Peterhead’s Ross almost grabbed his second of the night in the 82nd minute but Reid dived full-length to brilliantly tip the ball round the post for a fruitless corner.

PETERHEAD – Jarvie, Donald, Smith, Strachan, McDonald, McVitie (Moir 89), Ross, Young, Bavidge (Smith 86), Bruce, Cameron

INVERURIE LOCOS – Reid, Park, Buchan (Broadhurst 57), Wilson, Morrison (Neill 50), Merriman, Singer, Ross, Gauld (Davidson 62), Djahansovzi, Bisset