bluetoonscotty

Unlike previous seasons, Elgin is a tough place to go so happy with the point, especially as we were missing a fair few key players. Always said I’d be happy just to get through these final games before the playoffs injury-free so Flynn Duffy coming off is a worry as he’s been excellent since coming back on loan so hopefully it’s not too serious. Another good day out though and a decent crowd up.

Said I’d be happy just to come out of that park with no injuries and we seem to have achieved that. Very glad we don’t have to trek down there midweek. Not gonna read too much into the game as a whole. It is what it is in that wind and on that park. Another last minute equaliser was some buzz though

For a 0-0 that was a pretty enjoyable game of football from a Peterhead point of view. Like a completely different team from the one that played the last time out at Ochilview. You could argue it was maybe down to Stenny taking their foot off the gas with the title all but won, but it felt like we completely controlled the game in that second half. As has been mentioned Pawlett dictated the game in midfield along with McCarthy and had his best game in a Peterhead shirt so far. Hoping that’s him now up to speed and he can continue that going forward. Got to give credit to Goldie and Ryan Strachan aswell who both had good games and were so assured on the ball allowing us to build our attacks from there and recycle when we needed to. Only thing missing of course was that cutting edge but I’m hopeful that will come. If we can channel those types of performances over the next few weeks we could give ourselves a very positive end to the season.

Played some really good 1/2 touch stuff at times (bar the end product). However, we faded out of the game as it wore on. We maybe just had the edge overall but a draw definitely a fair result. Pawlett had a very good game (half and a bit) for the first time since joining. Was like a different player, hopefully that’s him getting back up to speed and he can kick on. Some key players still to come back in so hopefully we can start to reintroduce them and build their fitness while holding onto 2nd place going into the playoffs.

I wonder which iteration of a draw we’ll choose this week.

We love a good draw at the moment, eh! Second half in particular was a dire watch from us. Been really disappointed with Pawlett especially, he provides nothing for me I’m afraid. I really can’t understand why Robert Ward has stayed on the bench again there. Anytime he’s come on he gives us a bit of energy and pace which is exactly what we needed late on there. The league was long gone a while ago but with Stenny dropping points over the last few weeks it would’ve been nice to put on a tiny bit of pressure. 4 points from those last 4 fixtures isn’t good enough.

Elgin turning into a decent side has put an end to our guaranteed 12 points a season and I’m expecting a tough game today. Especially considering we’re struggling at centre half with Brown and Ross out and Ryan Strachan a doubt after hobbling off on Tuesday. Meaning we could see Goldie being shifted in one, not his natural position. Him and Davie did pretty well in there in midweek but I reckon they’ll have more to deal with today than they did against Bonnyrigg. Always look forward to these fixtures and hopefully there will be a decent crowd and atmosphere. Too many draws of late so would be good to get a solid home win and start generating a bit of momentum again.

If we could play like we do in 2nd halves for full games we could be in a title race. Still losing cheap goals and shooting ourselves in the foot before we can get going. When we do get going however, we can do that to teams and fair play to the boys because 3-0 down is a long way back. A few grumbles when Goldie came on for Strachan but he had an absolute stormer down that right hand side. Wee Alfie Stewart also did well coming off the bench. McCarthy was outstanding again and ran the show 2nd half. Felt for McAllister, he ran himself into the ground and had a couple of other chances that just didn’t come off. Definitely a few things to figure out and work on but also plenty positives to build on going into two home games.

The number of points it feels like we’ve won late on in games this season is incredible. Fair play to the boys for fighting til the end again. Maybe worrying that we’re not finding that first goal and taking control of games early enough but, hey, at least it’s exciting. Last week gave us some false hope that somehow Stenny might capitulate but with todays results that’s the league over (it has been for a while if we’re being honest). Got to be about generating some momentum and getting back to our best ahead of the playoffs now.

Expecting a very tough game here as it always is against Stenny. Been very impressed with them both times I’ve seen us play them this season, especially defensively. We’ve not had a sniff in either game really so that will have to change. However, with Stenny missing at least one key player and with bodies coming back from injury along with some new signings for us, I’m feeling slightly optimistic (this will no doubt be shattered by 3:09pm) that we can get something out of this. As long as we cut out this losing silly goals early on business. This unbelievable Stenny run will have to end at some point. As will our poor run. Jason Brown and Joe McKee being out are two big misses but if we can channel the second half performances against Dumbarton and East Fife we’ll be in with a chance today.

Eye-bleeding stuff from us again in that first half. Desperately missing McKee and McCarthy

Papers saying we’ve signed Alfie Stewart and Flynn Duffy on loan. Very glad we’ve been able to get some reinforcements in. A natural Left back was required and we know that Duffy can perform at this level from his time with us and with Stirling last season. Looking forward to see what Alfie Stewart can do too, remember being impressed with him when we played Aberdeen B earlier in the season.

Thought it was going to be the same old story of late of dominating the possession and the “territory” but not being able to find a way through. Eventually we did though and agree with the post above that Robert Ward and Jack Brown’s energy was vital in driving us on. That was exactly the injection we needed. Thought Ryan Strachan had a very solid game and McCallister proved how much we miss him. A well taken first goal then winning and taking the penalty so late on. Those big moments are what he does best. After a really poor run of form, hopefully the end to the game with the crowd behind them will give them the confidence to get the season back on track.

You can’t keep giving away cheap goals like we have done in the past few weeks and expect to win games. Fair play to Forfar they got their two goals and defended very well and managed the game to see out the win. While we passed the ball back and forth in front of their midfield for the last 25 minutes and couldn’t find a way to break them down. Been struggling for a while now but would caveat that by saying we’ve been missing key players like Jason, Scott Ross and Rory. A lot of guys also just getting back to fitness and playing with illness. You have to deal with these things over the course of a season though so hopefully things turn around soon. Was glad to hear Davie’s injury was not as bad as first feared as it was not nice to see in the ground. Speedy recovery!

Very much what I expected, a horrible game of football on a horrible tattie field of a pitch. Can’t complain too much about the result as we were let off a fair few times and really didn’t do enough going forward to win the game. So got to be happy to come away with the point. I will say we were stood right behind the goal and that was a stonewaller of a pen on McAllister at the end there. Getting another ground ticked off and seeing another Joe McKee peach made it a worthwhile trip.

Now that I’ve had some time to calm down I’ll give some thoughts on the game. A pretty even game which we competed well for the full 90 (+7) against a 2nd tier side. Murphy showed he was that level above later in the game but other than that, Ayr looked no better than some of the other teams we’ve faced in league 2. Would give a big shout out to Davie Wilson who had an absolute stormer at the back. I can only think of the McKee injury for any stoppages so where the ref got 7-8 minutes I will never know. That’s just football though and these things happen. Very proud of the lads today. A money spinning tie in the next round would have been nice but suppose that means we can focus on a push for the title. Onwards

I am a seething mess

We’ve gotten away with a few sub-par performances the last few weeks but we certainly didn’t get away with it tonight. We were outmuscled, outworked and outclassed by a big, strong Stenny side. They were first to every loose ball and were the only side who looked up for the game from the start. When we were in possession we just couldn’t break them down and resorted to the long ball and crosses from deep with little success. Defensively we were caught sleeping on a number of occasions and it really could’ve been 3 or 4. Our first real ‘big game’ of the season and we shat it. Another huge one on Saturday against Spartans and a chance to put things right but a big improvement is needed

Nipping away from work sharp to come down to this one. Will be my first time down at Ochilview so will be good to get it ticked off. To reiterate the points above an absolutely massive game for both sides. Win and we're 5 pts clear at the top and will have gotten one over a title rival. Lose and everything becomes even more tight up there. Would be pretty content with a draw with it being a long trip down on a Tuesday night and still a couple of key players missing. This is the first of a very tough run of games with Spartans(A), Ayr(H) in the cup and Dumbarton(H) so hopefully we start it on a positive note and I am very much looking forward to to my trip down.

Poor first half from us, East Fife been the better team. Danny Strachan is getting rinsed down our left side, that needs to get sorted for the second half. Goal came at a good time for us but pretty lucky to go in 1-0 up.

This will be my first time at Station Park so had convinced myself they were grass for some reason Suppose I better get the waterproofs looked out then

Any word of a pitch inspection? Or has Forfar missed the worst of the rain?

Never thought I’d see the day Rory gave up a pen to somebody else, especially a penalty he’d won himself. Then a few minutes later squared it to Shanks where he’d usually have shot himself. I am quite enjoying this more selfless version of Rory we seem to be getting this season.

Hopefully no new manager/sacking of DOF bounce today

Would say we were the better team in the first half and missed a few chances which cost us. Jack Brown had another good game and deserved his MOTM. A bit disappointed with the second half as we seemed to resort to the long ball too often and just seemed to fall out of the game a little bit. Was really impressed with Stenny’s defence, especially Nicky Jamieson, Shanks really struggled against them and didn’t get a sniff. Really frustrating last 10 minutes after the red card where Stenny just sat in with everyone behind the ball and we couldn’t break them down. A pretty even game and a draw was probably a fair result. Can’t be too disheartened with another clean sheet and still top of the league.