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We continued our pre-season campaign this afternoon with a victory over Highland League side Formartine United.

New signing Kyle Connell opened his account for the club, opening the scoring midway through the first half, before Fraser Fyvie doubled our lead in spectacular fashion, netting from his own half prior the break. The win was sealed 15 minutes from the end, when a trialist smashed a volley into the back of the net to make it 3-0.

The manager lined the team up in a 4-3-3 formation, with goalkeeper Balint Demus starting in goal for the first time since signing a full-time contract earlier in the week. Luke Strachan made his first start for the club at left-back, and was joined by Reynolds, Naismith, and a trialist in the back line. Vigurs, Fyvie and a trialist made up the midfield trio, and Megginson began the game upfront alongside new signings Burrell and Connell.

From the opening moments of the match, Fraser Fyvie looked sharp, and forced the Formartine goalkeeper into a couple of good saves. His first effort from 20 yards was tipped past the post by Macdonald, and shortly after, the midfielder linked up with Vigurs in a short corner routine before whipping the ball towards the back post, which was clawed away to safety.

We took the lead in the 20th minute. Demus did well to hold a Mykyta shot from the edge of the box, and was quick to bowl the ball out to Fyvie on the edge of the box. He drove the length of the pitch with the ball, before slipping an inch perfect pass through to CONNELL, who made a smart run in behind the Formartine defence. The striker looked up and smashed the ball low and hard into the far corner to make it 1-0.

Fyvie almost doubled our lead minutes after. His powerful shot from 30-yards out was knocked onto the bar by Macdonald, who dealt with it at the second attempt. Connell then looked to replicate his earlier goal. Vigurs picked out the striker who made another run in behind the Formartine defence, but this time the goalkeeper got his finger tips to his low driven effort, turning it behind for a corner.

FYVIE deservedly got his goal in the 35th minute, and it was a special one. After receiving the ball inside his own half, he took a quick glance up and unleashed a shot, which sailed over the Formartine keeper who was scampering back towards the goal, and nestled in the back of the net.

Moments later, Fyvie had a chance to score his second of the game. Luke Strachan’s cross was palmed by Macdonald into the path of Fraser, but his volley was tipped around the post.

The manager made a host of changes at the break, replacing the entire outfield team with those on the bench. Defender Arron Darge came on to play his first minutes for the club since signing last month. Will Gillingham and Connor Scully were also introduced, along with 7 trialists.

Formartine went close to reducing the deficit ten minutes after half-time. Tyler Mykyta found himself free inside the box, but Demus was quick to come out and make himself big, denying the wingers effort well with his body.

The second half was much quieter than the first, with neither team having any real chances until the 77th minute, when a trialist made it 3-0. A corner was whipped in from the left, which the Formartine defence failed to clear properly, and our number 17 volleyed the ball neatly into the bottom corner.

The team finished the match with ten men, as one of the trialists limped off having been unable to shake off an earlier knock.

It was yet another valuable 90 minutes for the side, with the players getting more minutes in their legs ahead of our competitive fixtures beginning later this month, and the manager getting another chance to assess those who are on trial with the club.

Our next match takes place on Saturday 8th July at 1pm, when we welcome Fraserburgh to Balmoral Stadium.

Tickets will be available to purchase in due course.

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