East Region Midlands League
Saturday, September 14th 2024
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!!!
