After tasting defeat for the first time in the league last weekend, Peterhead looked to bounce back as they hosted Clyde at Balmoor. The Bully Wee were winless in six having not taken advantage of 10 man Elgin the previous week, whilst the Blue Toon fell to defeat away to East Fife. There were two changes to the Peterhead team as Ryan Strachan and Cammy Smith replaced Scott Ross and Rory McAllister in the starting eleven.
Peterhead were extremely dominant in the opening exchanges; however, it was the visitors that nearly took the lead. Lee Connelly cut out a slack pass from Jason Brown and attempted to lob Stuart McKenzie but his 30-yard effort drifted over the bar. There was a lot of bark but no bite from the Blue Toon in the opening half an hour with lots of possession but chances were few and far between. Cammy Smith’s header looped over the bar before Jack Brown’s distant effort went over the bar. Connelly should have at least hit the target with a good chance for the visitors before Max Barry stung the fingertips of Robbie Hemfrey. From the resulting corner, Ryan Strachan rose highest and planted a header into the far corner to put Peterhead in front on the brink of half time.
Half Time: Peterhead 1-0 Clyde
The second half started the same way as the first with Peterhead dominant with the ball but without creating anything of note. Clyde grew into the game as Paul McKay had a couple of chances that didn’t threaten McKenzie and then won themselves a penalty – substitute Marley Redfren was fouled in the box by Danny Strachan and Logan Dunachie made no mistake from the spot. Peterhead had a penalty of their own moments later as Seb Ross was fouled in the area, however Hemfrey made a fine save to deny Peter Pawlett from 12 yards.
Soon after, Peterhead did get their noses in front again. A fantastic driving run from Cieran Dunne saw him glide past two Clyde defenders before picking out Barry at the far post, and he made no mistake as he rifled his effort into the back of the net. The goal seemed to spark Clyde into life and they made several substitutions to change the game. Jordan Allan fired a free kick narrowly wide before finishing off a nice move to draw the sides level. The final 10 minutes were end to end with neither side creating any chances of note and the points were shared as Peterhead slipped to second in the table.
Full Time: Peterhead 2-2 Clyde (Ryan Strachan 42’, Max Barry 70’; Dunachie (pen) 59’, Allan 81’)
Starting XI: McKenzie, Danny Strachan, Jason Brown, Ryan Strachan (Goldie 79’), Dunne, Forrest, Pawlett (Armstrong 86’), Barry (Ward 90’), Jack Brown, Seb Ross (Armour 79’), Smith
