Campbell Makes a Point for the Loons

Peterhead 1 Forfar Athletic 1

Forfar travelled north to Balmoor Stadium to face basement side Peterhead in a bid to bounce back from their midweek reverse to Livingston. Ross Campbell, back from suspension, was the only change to the Livingston starting line up, Bryan Deasley was the unlucky one relegated to the bench.

The first half was quite frankly disappointing, and although the home side did more to entertain, both teams failed to impose themselves on their opposition.

The first chance of the match came in the 7th minute, a long clearance from the home defence landed well for ex Loon Martin Bavidge, and after taking one touch he hammered the ball on target only to his effort parried away by Gallacher. Soon after, Fotheringham cleared high down the right flank and Gibson won the ball well knocking it into the path of Hilson, the on loan forward out stripped Smith and fired wide when crossing into the path of waiting Loons might have been a better option.

On the half hour mark, an inch perfect pass reached Nick Clark on the edge of the Forfar penalty box, he turned and spun into the box but a magnificent challenge from Bishop killed the move. The home side did take the lead sixty seconds later though when Bavidge collected a long clearance and crossed low into the danger area, Bishop and McCulloch both tried to clear, but the ball reached Gethins who fired home from close range.

Prior to half time Peterhead were dealt an injury blow when keeper Paul Jarvie had to be replaced by John Bateman.

Five minutes into the second half and it was almost 2-0, a cross from the left found an unmarked Bavidge whose header was on target, but palmed over the bar by Gallacher. Despite this it was Forfar who were enjoying the better  of the opening exchanges. Hilson won a challenge 30 yards from goal and sent substitute Deasley down the left wing, he reached the edge of the penalty box before returning the ball to Hilson, who then laid it back to Deasley, who had cut inside, and he fired low yards past.

The momentum stayed with the Loons and a move between Templeman, who had just replaced Gibson, and Deasley resulted in a lay off for Fotheringham who drilled inches over the woodwork. With twelve minutes remaining Forfar created the best move of the match - McCulloch brilliantly won the ball from Bavidge and fed it to Deasley, and for his part beat two defenders before cutting the ball inside to Iain Campbell, he connected with Templeman who drilled agonizingly past the target.

Deep into injury time, Fotheringham collected a throw in, before hitting the bye line and crossing dangerously - Templeman and various defenders all scrapped to win the cross, but it was Ross Campbell who bravely got down low to head home in the middle of the ruck.

This was a below par performance from the Loons, however the point won was probably fair. With games continuing to come thick and fast, it's derby evening on Tuesday, with Brechin City visiting Station Park.

Match Report by Kevin Brown