Club 46/279 – Fraserburgh

Match: Fraserburgh v Forres Mechanics
Date: 16/04/2022
Venue: Bellslea Park, Fraserburgh
Competition: Highland League
Entry Fee: £10
Travel: £29
Miles completed today: 392
Total miles remaining: 37081

The sixteenth of April would see the Highland League trophy won, but by who? Four serious contenders became three and soon after there were two. Either Fraserburgh, who’d led the way for much of the season or Buckie Thistle, who’d won 28 of their 33 games and still didn’t sit top of the table would be crowned on this day.
A draw is good enough for Fraserburgh but that’s a dangerous game to play. With Buckie heavy favourites away to Clachnacuddin they’d need a favour from Forres Mechanics but the bookies didn’t see that one coming.

Odds:
Fraserburgh 1/10
Draw 7/1
Forres Mechanics 10/1

The Ground

Being from the central belt, Fraserburgh looks closer to Norway than it does to Glasgow. It isn’t of course, but it’s still a big effort. It’s not the most accessible place in the world with the nearest train station 40 miles away in Aberdeen.
I usually take a wee wander about the places I visit before the games but as I passed Bellslea Park at 10 to 2 (an hour & 10 minutes before kick off) there were literally hundreds of people queued round the corner waiting to get the best spots.
With no official figure being given yet, it’s rumoured that the crowd was around 1600 which is phenomenal for a Highland League match. Even kick off had to be delayed by 15 minutes to let the hoards in. Fraserburgh normally have a decent support, normally 500 or so I’m led to believe but going by the good luck messages or Broch scarves/shirts in nearby shop windows along with the crowd it’s clear that the entire town gets behind their club.
The ground itself is a favourite of neutrals. There’s one old school seated stand that’s over 100 years old – one of those still found in few grounds around Scotland and next to this is the magnificent South Kirk which overlooks the ground. Almost everyone who’s ever taken a picture of Bellslea Park has stood opposite to get both of these in the same shot.
It’s one of the best and picturesque grounds in the ‘non league’ of Scotland.
This was a huge occasion and the organisers/club officials handled it well considering the huge number of spectators. Even the hospitality was packed and the club would’ve made a good few quid – great to see.

The Match

This wasn’t going to be a classic. Not due to the ability of the players but the wind was absolutely brutal, so much so that goal kicks against the wind travelled a total of about 30 yards. There were moments of quality but the focus for the players was just to handle the conditions.
Fraserburgh shot against the wind in the first half and Forres had them under some early pressure through Paul Brindle who’s direct dribbling was causing the Broch defence problems.
There weren’t too many first half opportunities but that changed late in the first half as the home side were awarded a penalty.
A cross into the box was handled by Lee Fraser and the referee pointed to the spot. I felt for the defender as it was completely accidental but he did gain an advantage from this as it allowed him to control the ball and make a clearance so the referee had no choice – the correct decision.
Paul Campbell put the penalty past Stuart Knight to rapturous celebrations from the crowds. Even black and white flares were set off but quickly confiscated by matchday security. The guy had a bit of a nightmare as he opened the gate pitchside, presumably to find somewhere safe to dispose of the flares but tripped over and took a tumble right in front of the dugouts. Poor guy!
At half time Fraserburgh led and managed to keep a clean sheet against the wind.
In the second half I thought Broch would race clear but they had to work hard for it and it wasn’t until the 65th minute that they managed a second. A Scott Barbour cross wasn’t cleared and the ball fell to Paul Young who fired the ball into the bottom right corner.
Barbour is usually a serial scorer but turned provider again, this time for Grant Campbell who was picked out and made no mistake.
By this time chants of ‘championies’ had started to ring round but the entertainment wasn’t finished.
Sean Butcher used the wind to his advantage to score a goal of the season contender. After a headed pass from Jamie Beagrie, Butcher decided not to take a touch and control this but instead smash a 35 yard volley over Stuart Knight and into the net. Normally the keeper would be questioned but not here.
The pace of the ball and the distance it’d travelled was almost disproportionate thanks to the strong wind and I thought he had a very good game despite the score. It was a great goal though and the crowd were buzzing off it.
That wasn’t the icing on the cake though, Captain William West (who had his own chant sung relentlessly by a pocket of supporters) added a fifth from the edge of the box firing his left footed strike into the near post. This particular group of fans were delighted.
In the end it’s a comfortable victory for Fraserburgh and more importantly, party time!

At full time Fraserburgh were presented with the Highland League trophy for the first time in twenty years. I’m glad I was part of it. Congratulations!

Full time: Fraserburgh 5-0 Forres Mechanics

MOTM

He didn’t get his name on the score sheet but was directly involved in the first three of his teams goals. Scott Barbour was the real danger man and for more conviction in the box from his team mates could’ve been sitting with four or five assists from the quality of his crosses into the box. His 36 goals across all competitions for the club this season and over 200 in total is undoubtedly a huge factor behind the club’s success.

Summary

Wow. A massive occasion and seeing the Highland League trophy being presented more than justified the lengthy trip.
Bellslea Park is a neutrals favourite for a reason and it’s a great place for a day out – just remember to wrap up for the wind!
Fraserburgh now enter a play-off with Lowland champions Bonnyrigg Rose. The winner will face Cowdenbeath for the right to play SPFL football next season.
The Broch have played Highland League football for over 100 years but you can’t stand in the way of progress and it could be an exciting time ahead.
I’m in the fairly unique position of having seen all 3 clubs involved in the play offs at home this season and I have no idea who comes out on top.
What I am absolutely sure of is that Bonnyrigg or Cowdenbeath won’t relish a trip up the north east coast to Bellsea.
Fraserburgh playing SPFL football may in the future allow them to rekindle their rivalry with Peterhead which would be exciting for the locals and for the rest of the SPFL it’s a cracking away day.
Good luck to everyone in the play-offs – it’ll be tight!

The stand

Queues at 5 to 3!

The picture everyone gets when they visit here

Second half action

Lifting the cup