Relegation-threatened Peterhead claimed a welcome win thanks to Josh Oyinsan’s early strike against FC Edinburgh.
The Blue Toon’s recent improvement in performances under the caretaker management team of Ryan Strachan and Jordon Brown was translated into points as they claimed a third victory in what has been a bitterly disappointing campaign.
The result ended an eight-game winless run which stretched back to a 1-0 home win against Clyde in January.
With Clyde picking up a point in the goalless draw at Kelty Hearts, Peterhead are now two points behind their second bottom rivals in League One with a game in hand which will take place at Balmoor on Tuesday evening against league leaders Dunfermline Athletic.
Strachan hopes his side can take confidence following a deserved win.
He said: “I think the result and performance is a reward for the last few weeks.
“The guys have put so much graft, commitment and endeavour into supporting the board, the club and the supporters and that was for the effort they put in.
“You go back to the first game against Alloa where we were competitive and really unlucky and then last week at Queen of the South on a big pitch against a full time team, we were hard done by to come back up the road with no points.
“This was probably the first time this season that we’ve been on top in terms of possession, we worked their keeper and played good football.”
Strachan was disappointed the margin of victory wasn’t greater.
He said: “That’s where this team’s mindset has to go to.
“I spoke to them on Thursday and when we go one up we typically sit in and try and protect our lead.
“But we need to be aggressive and on the front foot and win the game by two or three goals.
“Don’t just sit in but expect to win games.”
Another tough test awaits
And with a trip to Montrose on Saturday, Strachan admits it’s a huge week for the club and one that he has set a target for from his squad.
He said: “Jordon and myself tasked the guys with six points out of nine from the matches so it’s a great start but we’re under no illusion that we don’t have long to recover until Tuesday’s game.
“Dunfermline will come up here with a big support, they’re a full time team and they can potentially win the league on Tuesday but we’ll do our best.
“We’ll set up again to be hard to beat and we’re at home so we expect to get points.”
Your #BlueToon line up for today’s @cinchuk League 1 match against @FC_Edinburgh pic.twitter.com/TBpSRUy3HI
— Peterhead FC (@pfcofficial) April 8, 2023
Goalscorer Oyinsan, who finished coolly from a Jack Brown through ball, was pleased to get his strike.
He said: “It was an amazing feeling. It’s been coming and we’ve been working hard and the most important thing is we got the three points.
“I’m an ambitious player, I always want to do well and obviously results weren’t going our way but we just kept working hard, individually and as a team. I knew my chance would come and I’m just glad I took it.
“I work well with Kieran Shanks up front, he’s very good player and it’s all about making sure our games complement each other.”
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