A second home game in as many weeks beckoned for Peterhead as they hosted an in-form Elgin City side at Balmoor. The visitors were yet to lose in the league and looked to continue their good run, whilst Peterhead looked to bounce back following a draw at home to Clyde the week before. Co-managers Jordon Brown and Ryan Strachan made three changes from that side as Jordan Armstrong, Caleb Goldie and Rory McAllister came in for Danny Strachan, Seb Ross and Jack Brown.
Peterhead were the better side in the opening exchanges and nearly took the lead. Peter Pawlett’s left footed effort was palmed away by Elgin’s Aidan Glavin, only as far as Caleb Goldie but his effort was easily dealt with by the keeper. Elgin had the ball in the back of the net in the 11th minute – Ryan Sargent’s effort was well saved by Stuart McKenzie with the rebound falling to Kyle Girvan who fired the ball into the back of the net. The goal was originally given by the referee but after some deliberation with his assistant, the goal was correctly ruled out as Sargent had been offside in the build-up. Both sides struggled to control the game with chances at either end – Max Barry with a couple of efforts for the Blue Toon while Mark Gallagher fired wide for the visitors. Elgin finally did get their goal shortly before the half time break as Peterhead half cleared a corner kick before a follow up delivery from Lyall Booth was met by Jake Dolzanski and over McKenzie and into the back of the net.
Half Time: Peterhead 0-1 Elgin City
Peterhead started the second half as the dominant side and had a few excellent chances to get back on level terms. Jason Brown’s shot from distance was claimed by Glavin before Rory McAllister headed a free kick narrowly over. Dayshonne Golding really should have doubled Elgin’s lead following a rare second half attack from the “Black and Whites” but Caleb Goldie recovered well to block on the line. McAllister had a golden opportunity to draw the sides level on the hour mark as he was slipped through by Cammy Smith but his chipped effort beat Glavin but couldn’t sneak inside the far post. Smith had an effort that deflected over the bar and Jason had another effort saved by the keeper as Peterhead searched for an equaliser but unfortunately it wasn’t to be and the winless run for the Blue Toon extended to three games.
Full Time: Peterhead 0-1 Elgin City (Dolzanski 41’)
Starting XI: McKenzie, Goldie, Jason Brown, Ryan Strachan (Jack Brown 75’), Jordan Armstrong (Danny Strachan 30’), Pawlett, Forrest (Armour 82’), Barry (Seb Ross 75’), Smith, Dunne, McAllister
