Blairgowrie F C 0 Ashfield F & A C 4, Davie Park, Blairgowrie, Kick-Off 2pm

Ashfield completed their pre-season campaign with a blistering display against Blairgowrie this afternoon. The heavens opened as the teams entered the field with the home team in their traditional blue and white and Ashfield in their change strip of Red with White flashes.



The game started at a quick pace with both teams trying to play fast flowing football. Gault was back in the midfield for Ashfield and he was a great presence in the middle of the park with Cairley next to him. Blairgowrie had a great chance after 15mins when a long ball was played to the centre forward but McGovern in the Ashfield goal blocked well. This was the first clear cut chance of the game as both defences were on top and space was hard to find. Martin for Ashfield was trying to weave his magic down the left hand side and delivered some excellent crosses.



After approx 30mins Gault was clearly upset with an off the ball incident and squared up to the Blair forward which clearly fired up the Ashfield team. However McGovern saved Ashfield in the 44th minute with a superb block from a shot from 10 yards.
It looked as if the teams would go in level at half time but Ashfield dug deep and scored bang on half time. Neat play resulted in Alistair Martin racing down the left wing, before delivering a wicked low cross to the near post area that was deflected high into the net by a Blair defender. In fairness, if the defender had missed it, Darren O'Donnell was waiting for a tap in just behind. Blairgowrie 0 Ashfield 1. There was hardly anytime for more play as the referee blew for Half Time with both teams playing some lovely football.



Half Time: Blairgowrie 0 Ashfield 1

The sun broke through as the 2nd half began and Ashfield stepped up several gears. Carberry at Right Back was having a superb match and was linking well with Gordon Passmore. Ashfield should have increased their lead after approx 55mins when O'Donnell weaved his magic and his blistering shot went just wide of the Blair goal. This was the start of an Ashfield onslaught for the rest of the 2nd half.


Cairley in Midfield was spraying his passes around, Ritchie at left back was making breaking runs and Ashfield looked a menacing team. Ashfield were awarded a free kick approx 25 yards out after 60mins. Gault stepped up and hit it sweetly which sailed over the walll and crashed off the Blair bar and cleared to safety. Cairley then got in the act when Passmore raced down the right wing and delivered a great cross to an onrushing Cairley, who flicked the ball goalwards with his head but agonisingly saw it smash off the Blair Post.
Blair tried to press forward but Ashfield were hungry to increase their lead. Craig Smith was brought on for Ashfield and his pace paid off straight away as Ashfield scored again. Lovely build up play resulted in a floating ball being played over the Blair defence which was met by Smith. He raced past the last defender and stroked the ball low to the goalkeepers right glove and into the net. Blairgowrie 0 Ashfield 2.



Wave after wave, Ashfield went forward with Blair struggling to cope with the pace and agility of the Ashfield team. In the 78th minute Carberry sprayed a great pass on to an onrushing Smith in the Blair box who was brought down before he could pull the trigger. The referee had no option but to point to the penalty spot. Darren O'Donnell stepped up but his low shot was well saved by the Blair keeper and cleared.


Tolland came on for Chalmers and the new substitute scored an absolute cracker. Carberry was again involved, playing some great interchange passing with his colleagues in midfield before sending a pass to Tolland in the Blair box who cut back on the defender and slammed the ball with his left foot into the corner of the net. Blairgowrie 0 Ashfield 3.



Blair seemed shell shocked with this display and hardly threatened the Ashfield goalkeeper but full credit to Ashfield as they never let their opponents gain any space in the midfield area. The game was drifting away but Ashfield scored a 4th just before the final whistle with a bullet from Martin Gault. Ashfield were awarded a corner which was cleared to O'Donnell at the edge of the box. 'Dazzler' stroked the ball to Gault who slipped past a defender before thrashing a low drive past the goalkeepers right hand and into the corner of the net from 20 yards. Blairgowrie 0 Ashfield 4.





The referee blew for full time and a very sporting but competitive match was ended. Ashfield were awesome, especially in the 2nd half playing great football.

Full Time: Blairgowrie 0 Ashfield 4

Man of the Match:- Sean Carberry, the new Ashfield signing had a magnificent Match....Well Done !!!

Attendance:- 120

Photographs:- For One game only....................Fergie !!!!!!!! (Well Done Son !!.........C`mon the `field )

More Pics can be seen in the Gallery on the following link: Blairgowrie V Ashfield Pics