14th September 2024 @ The Quest Arena
Match Report From Ross McGowan
This afternoon saw a top of the table Midlands League clash between two sides boasting 100% records in the league so far.
Broughty have chalked up some impressive wins to date, most notably against reigning champions North End. Lochee went into the game on the back of consecutive 4-0 victories and welcomed Callum Moore back into the starting line-up after a brief injury lay-off.
The opening exchanges were cagey as both sides looked to feel their way into the game and Lochee had claims for a penalty waved away when Kerr Hay went down under contact at the front post.
But moments later the hosts drew first blood and it was one of Lochee’s summer departures who came back to haunt his old club as a corner from the left was met by the towering figure of former Bluebell Paul Scobie who rose highest to head Broughty into a 1-0 lead.
Lochee were struggling to get their passing game going and Bobby Linn took matters into his own hands trying a long range shot from 30 yards out that Diamond dealt with easily in the Broughty goal.
Broughty were quick to counter though and a defensive slip let Kesson through on goal but Jamie McCabe did well to narrow the angle in the Lochee goal as the shot faded wide.
Lochee’s job became a lot harder in the 28th minute though when Broughty picked a well worked passing move through Lochee’s lines and when the ball was flashed across the face of goal Mitchell Findlay provided the finishing touch at the back post to put the hosts 2-0 ahead.
That was how the sides went in at the break with Lochee’s engine misfiring in a disappointing opening 45.
Lochee continued to live dangerously at the back in the opening stages of the second half being caught in possession in their own box but Broughty couldn’t capitalise.
Louis Joyce then looked to get something going for Lochee breaking out from the right back position and finding a channel for Callum Moore but Moore’s shot floated over the bar with the angle always against him.
Lochee gaffer Dougie Cameron rolled the dice bringing Connor Coupe and Craig Moore off the bench to try and inject some life into a flat-looking attack but it was beginning to look like one of those days.
On the left, Bobby Linn was cutting a frustrated figure at not seeing enough of the ball and with ten minutes to go he won a free kick in a dangerous area but his set piece effort flew narrowly over the bar.
Broughty had one final chance in the closing stages to put the tin lid on it when a good move down the right saw a cross pick out Findlay unmarked six yards out but his glancing header flew just wide.
2-0 it finished on an afternoon when this hungry Broughty side just seemed to crack all of Lochee’s codes, smothered our attacking threat and ran out deserved winners.
Lochee were simply not at the races in the first half and gave themselves a mountain to climb in a second period when man of the match Bobby Linn looked our most likely goal threat off the left flank but for the first time this season we just couldn’t put the ball in the net.
Lochee now have two national cup competitions to juggle with a home tie in the Scottish Junior Cup next Saturday against Lanark United at Thomson Park, followed by an away tie in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup on the 28th against East Stirlingshire at the Falkirk Stadium.
As always – COME ON THE CHEE!!!
