Fraserburgh got back to winning ways after a run of 5 games without a victory but it was far from a vintage display against a stuffy and spirited Strathspey side who felt a certain injustice at decisions which went against them.
The home side made four changes from their previous home game with McBride, Christie, Mark Cowie and Scott Barbour replacing Bryan Hay, Ryan Cowie, Zak Conway and Neil Main. Strathspey were down to the bare bones of their squad with several changes due to injury and the shinty season commencing.
Fraserburgh forced the pace in the early stages of the match winning a couple of corners but it was the visitors who took the lead on 9 minutes when Allen MacKenzie latched onto a through ball and calmly rounded Paul Leask before rolling the ball into an empty net from 16 yards.
This stung the home side into action and on 15 minutes Scott Barbour clipped the top of the bar with a cross following Graham Johnston's pass. Two minutes later a Steven Main cross found its way to Willie West but the midfielder's first time effort flew wide.
The Broch continued to press and midway through the first half Scott Barbour found Graham Johnston in the penalty area but Cammy Dudgeon saved the flamed haired striker's shot. From the resultant corner Willie West blasted a shot well wide.
Strathspey had to defend almost constantly but in a sporadic attack Allen MacKenzie won the ball in the midfield area but fires his shot straight at Paul Leask. Back came the Broch and Scott Barbour's flick found P-A Bruce 12 yards out but the striker's shot was blocked.
Fraserburgh passed up a great chance for an equaliser on 35 minutes when Marc Dickson's cross found Courtney Cooper six yards out with only the goalkeeper to beat but he somehow struck the ball straight at him and Scott Barbour screwed the rebound wide.
A minute before half time Steven Main burst into the penalty box and appeared to be tripped but the referee waved aside his protests and just before the half-time whistle Ryan Christie's headed clearance was flicked onto Scott Barbour by Graham Johnston but the Broch forward fired his 12 yard shot wide of the goal.
Half-Time: Fraserburgh 0-1 Strathspey Thistle
The home side continued to press after the break and Scott Barbour should have done better with a shot after a goalmouth melee on 51 minutes and two minutes later Courtney Cooper's long throw was nodded on by Russell McBride but P-A Bruce put his header wide of the post.
Another good move between Scott Barbour and P-A Bruce set up Courtney Cooper but he snatched at the ball and sent a shot well side, then just before the hour the Broch had a goal disallowed for offside when Steven Main fed Graham Johnston on the left and his cross was nodded home by Scott Barbour much to the annoyance of the home side.
There was relief a minute later though when Scott Barbour was held in the box and referee Martin Kerrigan pointed to the spot. After a delay for some protests by the visitors Ryan Christie stepped up and made not mistake from 12 yards.
Things got worse for the visitors when Matteusz Bobrowski was red carded
on 63 minutes following an altercation with Marc Dickson which saw the
Polish striker receive his second yellow of the match. A minute later
they paid dearly when P-A Bruce nodded home Graham Johnston's corner
from 6 yards out.
The Broch went 3-1 up on 68 minutes from another Ryan Christie penalty.
Scott Barbour was released by Mark Cowie but before the striker could
pull the trigger he was tripped by Nicholas Mochan who was sent off for
his indiscretion. Christie then did his usual immaculate job from the
spot.
Three minutes later the game was well and truly up for the Strathy Jags as Scott Barbour found space in the box but his shot was well saved by Cameron Dudgeon only for the rebound to fall to Willie West who made no mistake with a low drive from 10 yards.
Both sides made a number of substitutions as the match entered the final
15 minutes and despite creating numerous chances in that period
Fraserburgh couldn't add to their tally thanks to a mixture of poor
finishing and fine goalkeeping by Cammy Dudgeon.
Full-Time: Fraserburgh 4-1 Strathspey Thistle
