ON a perfect day for football, Fraserburgh kicked off the Morrison Cup quarter final tie and they made the first chance with McLennan firing over the bar.
The home side went in front with their first attack in the fifth minute. A. Maitland sent i
n a perfect cross to Young who headed past Cowie.
A cross from Young beat the Broch defence but evaded his forwards as well. In the 14th minute a free kick from Shinnie went wide of target. With 17 minutes on the clock a lovely pass sent A. Maitland clear but his shot was saved by Cowie.
Formartine doubled their lead on 18 minutes when Beaton broke through and sent an inch perfect pass to A. Maitland who dispatched the ball into the net.
A loose clearance from Craib gave Forbes an opportunity but his long range effort was driven over the bar. In the 24th minute a Craib free kick was headed back by B. Maitland to Young, he saw his shot deflected for a corner.
The corner was sent in, McGuinness controlled and fired off a shot which was again deflected for a corner. This corner was played into Young who set up Forsyth but he struck his shot wide.
Whyte played a dangerous cross into the area but Horne gathered. Just on half time, A. Maitland crossed for Beaton, but Cowie made a fine save to keep the score the same.
Formartine were in command and started the second half as they had finished the first, and a free kick from Maitland was blasted over.
Bissett made a strong run down the left but his cross was taken by Horne. The Maitland brothers put together a good move and Bobby sent in Adam but Cowie got to the ball first.
Fraserburgh were making more of a game of it and McLennan broke into the area but he dragged his shot wide. With 56 minutes gone, a free kick played in was met by B. Maitland at the back post but his header went wide.
The home side stretched their lead with 61 minutes gone. The ball was played across the box, B. Maitland gathered and fired low into the corner of the net.
Two minutes later the game was over as a contest when B. Maitland scored the goal of the day with a strike that was still rising as it struck the roof of the net.
Soon after, A. Maitland was sent clear but his attempted lob beat Cowie but drifted wide of target. Young played in A. Maitland but Cowie made a fine save.
Broch's never say die attitude almost earned them a consolation in the 86th minute when Lawrence saw his shot beat Horne but come back off the upright. The home side saw out the game and deservedly progressed into the semi-final.
Formartine United: Horne, Craib, Findlater, Forsyth, McGuinness, Irvine, B. Maitland, Shinnie, A. Maitland, Beaton, Young. Subs: Gray, Yule, L. Morrison, Seivwright, Fyfe.
Fraserburgh United: Cowie, Ritchie, Ross, Watt, Forbes, Whyte, McLennan, Brown, Lawrence, Allan, Bissett. Subs: Buchan, Tait, Heron, Clark, Noble.
United are back on league duty on Saturday (April 18). They face Dufftown in a First Division game. Kick off at North Lodge Park is 2.30pm.
