For the first competitive match of season 2014/15 Scone were missing the unavailable Hynd and Fergus, also missing was Scott Ballingall who has started the road to recovery from injury.  So the Jags lined up with the same starting 11 as had taken to the field last Saturday in the last pre-season friendly match but the side weren't to get off to the same good start as they did against Falkirk going behind after only 4 minutes.

Axworthy played a corner from the left back down the pitch to the unmarked Menzies and he took the ball first time to rifle a shot into the top left corner of the net from fully 25 yards out.

Scone recovered quickly from this early set back and six minutes later Blairgowrie had to rely on O'Brien in goal to prevent the equaliser.    A Keir corner from the left was met by Campbell and his powerful goalwards header was first blocked by the Blair keeper before he recovered quickly to grab the loose rebound with Doig preparing to pounce.

In a game of few chances the next goal action didn't come until just before the 23rd minute and it saw a good effort from Duncan from an Axworthy corner well held by Curtis. Five minutes later the action swapped to the other end after Scone were awarded a free kick just outside the Blair box.  Keir stepped up to play a curving shot which beat wall and keeper but rebounded off the left hand post, Macleod was unlucky to slip on the very wet surface as he tried to turn the rebound in and the ball was cleared up the pitch to Menzies who was able to head goalwards before shooting over the bar from long range.

Moments later and this time Blairgowrie did convert a chance and it came from a rare mistake by the Jags.  A ball from defence wasn't played properly up the pitch and the ball was won by Simpson who quickly passed forward to Neave.  He then cut in from the right touchline before picking out Maloney with a great cross into the area and Maloney placed a deft headed touch onto the ball to carry it into the goal despite the attempts of Matt Curtis in the home goal.

Just before half time Scone carved out another half chance and it was Scone 's turn to capitalise on slack play from the opposition.  Lafferty intercepted a Blair throw in before releasing the ball to Doig who played a curling shot goalwards but it just would not bend in time to go on target and flew past the post.

Jags had time for one final effort before the end of the half and it was Campbell who saw a shot creep past the post after a Doig layoff following good build up play between Doig and Smith.

Jags were beginning to control the play and had another chance after 58 minutes when a Keir free kick into the Blair box was played to Macleod at the far post and he returned the ball to Campbell who took a great first touch to pass a defender before firing goalwards.  Brash did well to block his goalbound effort and the ball was cleared.

Ten minutes later another Keir free kick into the area saw the ball cleared only as far as the Scone player/manager and he played the ball from the right touchline across to the left hand side of the pitch where Graham Michie was running towards the Blair penalty area.  Michie took a great first time shot on goal which took a fantastic save from O'Brien to prevent a certain goal.

Jags were gaining a lot of the possession without managing to create many real chances and it took until the final minute of play for the next goal mouth action to arrive.  Smith took control of the ball on the right touchline, just inside the Blair half, before advancing well down the right.  He then turned inside the Blair left back before playing a lovely weighted pass to Doig who took a great first touch to make some space but couldn't keep his shot on target.   

The whistle went shortly after and whilst the defeat was disappointing in a match which on balance of play should probably have been a draw there was enough positive aspects from Scone's play, not least the lack of heads going down after an early goal, that suggests that this could be a good season for the Jags, especially when the full squad is available.

 Reporter: Ewan Dow