Formartine United assistant manager Martin Skinner was thrilled to get back to winning ways and record their first victory against Fraserburgh in five years.
The Pitmedden side, who are level on points with Breedon Highland League leaders Buckie Thistle, prevailed 2-1 in an absorbing encounter at Bellslea.
After Saturday’s loss to Turriff United Formartine were looking for a positive reaction and they got it as they beat the Broch for the first time since September 2018.
Skinner said: “We’re delighted with the result, in terms of the performance we looked for a reaction from Saturday and we got it.
“To a man I thought we were really good. Throughout the 90 minutes the passion, desire and willingness to do the right things was there.
“To be at the top you’ve got to win these games, the league is so tight and it’s going to be a great league this season.
“Coming to places like Bellslea is really difficult but we’re delighted to end the five-year hoodoo.
“We were disappointed with the result against Turriff on Saturday and results like that can maybe hinder your season so we’re delighted we managed to bounce back.”
United show ruthless streak
Formartine took a sixth minute lead when Fraserburgh goalkeeper Joe Barbour miscued a clearance straight to Julian Wade, who finished clinically.
The Broch responded well with Ryan Sargent sending a dangerous ball across goal which Scott Barbour couldn’t force into the net.
United doubled their advantage after half an hour when Kieran Simpson couldn’t control on the right side of his own penalty area and Scott Lisle nipped in and finished into the left corner.
Sean Butcher had an effort cleared off the line and Greg Buchan’s curling effort was clawed away by Formartine goalkeeper Ewen Macdonald as the hosts looked to respond.
Fraserburgh did pull one back in the 79th minute when Simpson’s cross from the left wasn’t cleared and sub Connor Wood fired home from 12 yards.
In the closing stages Formartine could have put the game to bed, but Lewis Davidson cleared a Matthew McLean header off the line and Paul Campbell lashed over with a clear sight of goal.
Broch midfielder Paul Young received a second yellow card and then red from referee Filippo Mazzoni on 88 minutes for foul on Dylan Lobban.
Despite that, Fraserburgh put on some late pressure but couldn’t conjure up an equaliser.
Cowie not downbeat
Fraserburgh are seventh on 16 points and boss Mark Cowie said: “I’m disappointed to lose the game, but I thought we played well. Between both boxes we were good, two uncharacteristic mistakes and bad mistakes let them get two goals.
“They broke on us a lot in the second half, but we bombarded their goal and it just didn’t fall.
“We can work on things as well, but we’ve played a lot worse than that and won games so I’m not too disheartened.
“I don’t think we did enough to win the game, but I don’t think we deserved to lose, I can’t be too downbeat.
“The lads gave everything, I can’t fault their efforts.”
