Peebles Ams - 4

Biggar - 3

by Finlay Muir

PEEBLES secured a vital win over rivals Biggar to ensure they stay in the promotion hunt. The win moves Peebles within 8 points of Biggar with two games in hand. 

Right from the opening exchanges, Peebles started to exploit space in the opposition rearguard. Biggar lined up with an ageing defence and were often caught out by balls over the top. This gave Peebles several early chances and but for some poor finishing by Scott Inglis, Peebles could have been out of sight by half time. 

However 15 minutes in Peebles opened the scoring. Centre back Ben Brown played a lovely ball in behind for winger Naz Mcdonald, who slotted the ball coolly in the net. 

Milk could turn quicker than this Biggar defence and soon after Peebles found themselves 2-0 up, this time it was the turn of Inglis to creep, in behind the defence and for the first time in weeks he managed rifle his strike past the keeper.

Biggar then pulled a goal back through a well executed finish following a good run from the centre midfield.

Peebles were looking the better and more dangerous side and restored there 2 goal lead after 35 minutes. Finlay Muir picked the ball up inside the Biggar Box and despite being fouled twice he stayed on his feet before cutting the ball back to Mcdonald who’s powerful strike was saved by the arm of the defender on the line, the referee rightly pointed to the spot. The responsibility was given to James Dodds and he confidently stroked the ball into the net. 

Biggar responded well and managed to snatch a goal before half time meaning the teams went into the break with the score line at 3-2. Biggar started the second half as they had ended the first and got themselves level with an early goal. 

The second half was a cagier affair with chances few and far between. One of Biggars strikers was showing symptoms of small man syndrome as he look to confront any Peebles who came near him. Having already received a yellow card in the first half the striker seemed determined to see red. After a strong tackle by Tiff Robertson on another player, the striker sprinted over and pushed the defender before squaring up to him. The referee had had enough of his antics and a second yellow was shown. 

With Biggar down to 10 men, Peebles took control of the game and started to put the opposition under pressure especially the centre back pairing who had a combined age of at least 90 and were looking increasing tired.

The winning goal came 10 minutes from time, a long ball was beautifully flicked on by Muir to allow Inglis in on goal once again. The young striker seemed to finally find his shooting boots as he expertly finished from a tight angle. 

Hearts were in mouths in the closing stages, when Biggar came close to finding a stoppage time equaliser. But a great one on one save from the Peebles keeper secured a valuable 3 points.