Fraserburgh will travel to face Buckie Thistle in the semi-final of the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup after getting the better of Locos with a goal in each half on a rainy night at Bellslea.
An early Paul Campbell header laid the foundations and substitute Sean Butcher’s strike, just a minute after his introduction, settled the issue midway through the second period.
Both sides were close to full strength. Former Cove Rangers skipper Eric Watson, who is serving a three-match league suspension, was eligible to play for Inverurie in this one and was in his usual position at centre-back.
Locos won the toss and seemed to have played an early trump card by making the Broch play down the slope, their favoured way in the second half.
However, in the third minute the Broch stunned the visitors when they took the lead, Lewis Davidson’s cross picked out Paul Campbell unmarked in the box and his classic six yard downward header into the corner of the net gave Andy Reid in the Locos goal absolutely no chance.
In the 20th minute Scott Barbour got on the end of a long clearance from the back but under pressure from Ryan Broadhurst the Fraserburgh striker slipped as he attempted to make contact with the ball and the chance was gone.
The Bellslea pitch was in wonderful condition and the pre-match rain helped the ball to zip over the playing surface.
The game was being played at a tremendous pace with the action streaming from end-to-end.
Locos striker Andy Hunter required treatment for a leg knock but he was able to continue after a couple of minutes attention from the physio.
Just before the break Barbour fired a grounder just past although Reid appeared to have had it covered.
Two minutes after the restart Locos almost levelled but central defender Mark Souter’s towering back-post header was cleared off the line by Paul Young.
In the 62nd minute Greg Buchan’s attempted cross came back of the front post as the action continued apace. Then a great ball across the face of the Locos goal from Ryan Cowie found no takers.
At the other end substitute Jonny Smith’s six yard header went straight at Broch keeper Paul Leask who handled confidently.
In the 71st minute Greg Buchan and Luke Barbour were replaced by Aidan Combe and Sean Butcher. Within 60 seconds Butcher scored with his first touch, Reid blocked a Paul Young drive but the 25-year-old Broch striker was on-hand to guide the rebound home from eight yards.
With 15 minutes to go Broch’s Campbell was denied a second goal when Reid dived full length to tip his drive around the post.
