College Park, Scottish Communities Cup Round 4, 24/1/26
Me still 361, Wee Man still 217
Fraserburgh United Junior Football Club
Founded – 1976
Nickname – Broch United
Honours – North East Region Premier League -1979/80. North East Division One – 1990/91. North Region Division One – 2009/10. Acorn Heating Cup – 1977/78. Morrison Trophy – 1979/80, 2003/04 and 2015/16
I genuinely believe everything happens for a reason. Today I think this was a challenge from the fitba gods to test our metal and give us an ending to a quest that was worth the hassle. Ellon Thistle v Banchory was the aim of the day. The usual chance to catch up with my dad but no, the Meadows was waterlogged and was expected to be as early as last night. Officially off in the morning, plan B was Formartine United v Clachnacuddin in the Highland League but like Ellon fell to the moisture and bit the dust in the morning also. With the games dropping all around the NE one not too far from home stayed on. So for plan C, we headed to Maud(from Aberdeen as we were there in the morning). We entered the Social Club at 1300 and immediately found out the ref had thought otherwise and had just called the game off late in the day. With being 25 minutes from the Broch I suggested the Scottish Cup tie to Wee Man and he replied, “we can try” in a very , I dont think it will be on way. Arriving in Fraserburgh at bang on 13.30 we were there to see kick off as we got out of the car with Wee Man perking up and telling me “it a good thing you know where all the teams are”. It may have been plan D but this was to be more than worth the pissing about that preceded. This was to turn out to be one of the most heroic performances I have ever witnessed in the Juniors in all my years watching.
On paper this would be a doddle for the Dundee side. (To note, see our score predictions) With a much bigger budget and some players who are of a quality that lets face it are well above that of seventh tier Fraserburgh United, I doubt anybody could see past the Chee. That barring the management team of the Broch United. I along with many other were to be proved well and truly wrong. Russell McBride had his men fired up and ready for the battle and this was evident from the very start. Lochee were there to have a go and the fact the first half was to be by in large played in the hosts half proved it. But for all the attacking play and possession of Lochee, Fraserburgh had an answer to everything to come their way. I honestly cant remember one aerial ball being won by a blue shirt, I saw orange shirts snapping into every challenge whether 50/50 or 90/10 against. The home side were launching their bodies in the way of everything no matter if it was to lead to a sore one. The Broch United’s attitude towards this match was to put it simply, fucking ace to watch. It was firing me up inside too. Yes I will always back the local sides to the hilt but something about this performance was filling me with passion. This sounds daft but it is true. The fight was infectious. Every player out there was putting in their all and it was brilliant to see. My distress at the late penalty to the visitors surprised even myself. I was gutted and equally fuming at the time. I cant even say if it was a pen or not as it was at the other end and the box was loaded. What I can tell you is the penalty was well hit but the save was truly bloody outstanding from Blair Tait and without hyperbole, maybe the best penalty save I have seen in the flesh. Unreal stuff which led to me and Wee Man letting out a very audible “yassss” each. Was this a sliding doors moment. As it was the last kick of the half going in 0 v 0 as opposed to 0 v 1 would surely be a huge difference maker for the men in orange.
HT 0 v 0
A half time kick about to soak my feet like never before saw us head to the toilet after the break but just as we approached the pavilion Fraserburgh United broke and with two on two in the box was this to be a special moment? It was indeed and after a ball in from the right Harvey Mackie was on hand to fire home from 12 yards. A shock lead in this cup tie. At this point I went for my stoor and numerous LU fans were exiting the pavilion only to return immediately after realising what happened. The Broch hospitality was clearly a better option than watching a cup shock unfold in the north eastern drizzle. As we watched on HFL Fraserburgh legend Scott Barbour stopped for a yap and he can back up my support for the home side as they took a two goal lead whilst we were blethering leading to another almighty “yaaaaas” from me as Jake West sent the home side closer to an upset as he headed a cross into the net. This surprise result was absolutely on the cards and if not for some ropey refereeing it would have been three when he called a bullshit foul on the Chee keeper. The away goal frame was then to be rattled from a howitzer of a free kick(never noticed the taker) but as the darkness was setting in(even more so as the day was that miserable it was gloomy all afternoon) and the time was running out, Lochee had chances but just couldn’t get the ball past Tait. The final whistle blew and this unlikely result became a reality. Every one of those men in orange were heroes on the day. This really was a superb performance and possibly the most organised, disciplined and just lets call it heart filled performance I have ever seen at this level of football. Superlatives galore could be chucked at it, but the score says it all. Magic stuff that left both Wee Man and I buzzing for the rest of the day.
Two teams from the North remain. Broch United and Buchanhaven Hearts. A Fraserburgh v Peterhead semi final is what the world should want, however Largs Thistle/Benburb and Pollok may have something to say about that, but we can live in hope.
Entrance – Me £7, Wee Man free
Attendance – 72 (rough head count when some Dundonians had chucked the second half)
Pie – £4.60, pie and coffee
Pint – N/A
Score Predictions – Me 0 v 4, Wee Man 0 v 3
Season Score Prediction Totals – Me 3 v 2 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 