Match Report

There was very little to choose between the two sides who met for the second time in 2 weeks and like the previous Betfred Cup tie this match ended all square at 1-1, it was however a match that will be remembered more for the injury sustained to Annan’s impressive player Jack Purdue who suffered a suspected broken leg in the 32nd minute after a tackle from behind by Grant Gallagher which saw the Stranraer midfielder receive a red card.

Stranraer then re-adjusted their team with the introduction of Adam Cummings to replace Darryl Duffy and Annan introduced Aidan Smith for Jack Purdue and the reorganised Stranraer team then made it a frustrating afternoon for the Galabankies who could not find the opening that would have lifted the points.

In fact it was the visitors who went ahead in the 38th minute when Andy Stirling ‘s individual low shot from the corner of the 18 yard box flew into the bottom corner of the net past the diving Pettigrew. It was a superb moment of individual brilliance from the in form Stirling who was a constant threat all afternoon.

It was a set back to Annan but they responded with a superbly worked goal as the match entered additional time due to the Purdue injury. Moxon scored the goal with a tremendous strike from fully 30 yards which flew into the top corner of the net past the diving Greg Fleming. It was a patient build up with Cammy Clark combining with Ian Anderson down the left who slipped the ball inside to Max Wright who cut it back to Owen Moxon who struck the ball spectacularly and a contender for goal of the season.

Annan finished the half strong but were unable to prize open the Stranraer defence, they came close on a couple of occasions when Iain Andersons header went narrowly past the post and Fleming came to Stranraer’s rescue saving Max Wrights effort from close range.

The second half was a real battle with the 10 man Stranraer team fighting hard for every ball and with Fleming in such good form Annan could not find the opening, Flanagan came close in the 67th minute with his low shot being superbly saved by the keeper.

Andy Stirling was a constant threat all afternoon and needed close attention. Annan were denied a goal when Flanagan’s effort beat Fleming but the ball was cleared from under the bar with the ball clearly over the line. It would have been harsh on Stranraer who had worked hard to gain the point and put the dismal display of the previous week behind them.

Annan – Jordan Pettigrew, Lewis Hunter (Mark Docherty 84 min), Cameron Clark, Owen Moxon, Matthew Douglas, Steven Swinglehurst, Jack Purdue (Aidan Smith 32 min), Aaron Splaine, Max Wright, Iain Anderson, Nathan Flanagan Subs not used: Alex Mitchell, Peter Watson, Harry Emerson, Russell Currie, Kyle Fleming.

Stranraer – Greg Fleming, Scott Robertson, Sean Burns, Tom Devitt, Jamie Hamill, Connor McManus, Grant Gallagher, Andy Stirling, Ruari Paton, Darryl Duffy (Adam Cummings 32 min), Thomas Orr, Substitutes not used – Jamie Walker GK, Lewis McIntyre, Matthew Yates, Josh Walker.

Referee – Barry Cook , Crowd 000

It was a day when Elgin City lifted the points with a convincing 3-0 victory over Brechin City to leave the highland league side as the only club on maximum points after only 2 games . Stenhousemuir were denied by a late Stirling equaliser with both teams having to be content with a point in a 2-2 draw. Two goals in the first 12 minutes were enough for Queens Park to lift the points against Albion Rovers. Cowdenbeath bounced back from last weeks defeat against Annan to defeat Edinburgh City 1-0 at City Park for the result of the day after having David Cox sent off in the first half.

Next Saturday Annan travel to Stirling Albion without the services of Jack Purdue who takes the good wishes of all at Annan Athletic on a speedy recovery to a horrible accident.