Doubles from Ross Bell and Jaden Murphy secured Fairmuir Violet three points against Coupar Angus.

A back and forth first half saw the sides go off level at the break, but three second half goals wrapped up the points for last season’s U17s treble winners.

Coupar Angus got the league campaign off to the ideal start against Brechin on the opening day, cruising to a 5-1 victory. Any thoughts that their trip to Graham Street would be as straightforward were ended after 42 seconds, as Brendan Howett fired the hosts into the lead.

The midfielder’s powerful strike from the edge of the box flew past Andrew Smith in the Coupar Angus goal.

The visitors managed to level the tie before the ten-minute mark. A miskick saw the ball fall kindly for Ross Campbell at the edge of the box, who composed himself, and curled a shot into the net, via the inside of the post.

Moray Robertson sent Stefan Brown in behind the Fairmuir defence moments later, but his chipped effort was wide of the mark.

With 19 minutes gone, Fairmuir went back in front. Coupar Angus pushed too many men forward at a free kick, allowing a quick counter attack that ended with Smith pushing Callan Gallacher’s shot into the path of Ross Bell, who rolled the ball into the empty net.

Smith had to be at his best moments later to keep out Cameron Henderson’s header. The Fairmuir defender got a deft touch on Ryan Scobie’s in-swinging free kick, but the goalkeeper managed to get down to the bottom corner, and push the ball to safety.

Both Moray Robertson and Campbell had efforts off target before the visitors got their equaliser. Ryan Robertson lifted the ball into the box, and as Fairmuir keeper Steven Connor caught Scobie rather than the ball, the visitors found themselves level at the break.

An unfortunate moment for Fairmuir and Scobie, who was unable to return to action in the second half.

The second half began in the same back and forth manner that the first half had been played, but neither goalkeeper was seriously tested. With an hour gone, Fairmuir went ahead for a third time.

Bell managed to steal the ball inside the Coupar box, and quickly found himself on the ground, and the referee pointing to the penalty spot. The midfielder dusted himself off and stroked the ball into the bottom right corner.

Five minutes later, the hosts were further ahead. A long throw wasn’t dealt with by the Coupar defence, and the ball fell to Jaden Murphy, who instinctively fired a first past shot past the despairing Smith from close range.

In what was proving to be a nightmare couple of minutes for Coupar Angus, they soon lost Smith to injury. Murphy clattered into the keeper from a corner, an accidental incident, but one that saw Campbell take the gloves for the final 20 minutes.

The stand-in keeper saw Bell denied a hat trick by the cross bar, before Coupar Angus passed up their best chance of the second half. Nathan Stewart’s free kick came crashing off the bar before bouncing on the goal line. Ryan Beedie was first to meet the loose ball, but he could only head over from a matter of yards out. 

Coupar Angus’ failure to take this chance was swiftly punished by Fairmuir, who went up the pitch and got their fifth. Murphy again the thorn in the visitor’s side, as he spotted Campbell off his line, and chipped the ball into the net from 25 yards.

Fairmuir goalkeeper Connor denied Coupar a third as the game entered injury time. Daniel Dow’s fierce effort from the edge of the box took a deflection off of one of the many bodies packed inside the penalty box, but the Fairmuir stopper managed to get down and keep the ball out of the net.

After their impressive opening day showing, this was very much a reality check for Coupar Angus. While they have a talented squad capable of challenging for silverware this season, they were outfought by a hungrier Fairmuir side. If they are to replicate or improve on last year’s third place finish, they will need to be far better than they were today.

As for Fairmuir, they have brought in several fresh faces over the summer and have had a number of last year’s treble winning squad depart. Last season, they dominated possession and were capable of overpowering teams in the final third. This season, they will find that more experienced teams won’t allow that happen, but they do have an industrious side that looks dangerous on the counterattack.

Repeating last season’s treble may prove to be a bridge to far for now, and though they have one of, if not the youngest squads in the league, their opening results have shown that they are not to be taken lightly.

Lastly, I'd like to wish both Ryan Scobie and Andrew Smith speedy recoveries from the injuries they picked up during the match.