Kemnay FC Juve v Peterhead BC Phoenix

Kemnay FC Juve 4 Peterhead BC Phoenix 3

With Sebastian, Matthew Robertson and Liam away for half term and Ethan missing after breaking a wrist during his school ski trip, it was a depleted Juve squad that welcomed Peterhead to Bogbeth Park for this development league fixture, the first game since November. The squad was bolstered with the last minute loan signing of Reece from KFC Milan.

The game got underway on a decent morning for football and the first period was extremely closely fought. Both teams played some attractive football and both teams created openings, however initially the goalkeepers were on top, Archie pulling out some excellent stops, matched only by his opposite number in goal for Peterhead. Gradually it seemed that the home side were getting the better of the game, so it was a slight surprise that Peterhead scored the first goal. However they too played some lovely football and doubled their lead shortly afterwards. This spurred Kemnay into life and after good link up play Reece was on hand to cut the deficit to 2-1 with a good left footed finish.

Not to be outdone Peterhead scored again and ended the first 20 minutes 3-1 ahead, maybe a slightly bigger lead than the game would suggest. Both teams were well matched with Peterhead taking their chances when presented with them.

Kemnay started the second period in determined fashion and after conceding three goals in the first period, started to defend much more resolutely. Cameron and Reuben managed to shackle the Peterhead strikers on the whole and were linking up well with Lewis on the left and Mason on the right of midfield. Indeed some of their interplay was great to watch. Matthew too was beginning to pull the strings in thr middle of the pitch and some good play between he and Reece ended up in the ball being lofted over the stranded Peterhead goalkeeper and Reece was on hand again to bundle over theline to make it 3-2.

Soon after, Matthew picked up the ball on the edge of his own box and set off on a fantastic run that was brought to a shuddering halt when he was fouled on the halfway line. Lewis chipped the free kick towards the box and Matthew watched the ball come over his shoulder and volleyed it home into the keepers right hand corner a la David Platt - a great finish, a bit like his goal celebration! Kemnay certainly had the better of the second period, however the visitors had countless chances to score themselves, however a combination of resolute defending, poor finishing and terrific goalleeping kept Peterhead out. One goalline clearance by Reuben was excellent and one save in particular by Archie, when he dived full length to tip a goalbound shot onto his post was just brilliant.

The final period was again a closely fought affair with both teams creating chances to move ahead again, but again goalkeepers were well on top. Kemnay forced a series of corners and despite Lewis fantastic delivery, no-one was able to get a header on target for the home side. The winning goal when it came was a cracker. Kemnay won a throw on the right. Mason showed some quick thinking and threw it down the line into Reece's path on the right wing. He beat his man and looked up before squaring to Lewis, who took a touch before drilling a low shot beyond the despairing grasp of the visiting goalkeeper.

Peterhead tried to draw level and forced a few corners themselves but they just couldn't find the equaliser. Final score 4-3.

This was a good game contested by two well matched teams, and more importantly played in an excellent spirit, with the referee never called into action for anything other than routine decisions.

Kemnay FC Juve Player of the Match - Archie Simons, for good distribution, some excellent handling and one or two fantastic saves when the team needed them.