Next trio of games could be key for Peterhead’s promotion push

Without a win in five Ladbrokes League 1 games it would be easy to write off Peterhead’s promotion credentials as fading, even this early in the season.

However, in their next trio of games The Blue Toon have the perfect opportunity to get back on the wagon and push for a second promotion in three years.

After winning two of their first three matches of the league season, the odds have certainly been reflective of their up-and-down campaign to date.

Before the season got underway, Jim McNally’s side were 8/1 to go up and 12/5 to make the play-offs.

Following their decent start with seven points from nine games they were 5/1 and 5/4 respectively.

But their form slipped and three defeats and two draws now puts them in sixth with the bookies quoting them as 14/1 shots for promotion and 2/1 to even make the top four.

All is not lost though, as the three fixtures they have next were very kind to them in 2014-15, and any repeat could see them push on again.

Home ties against Forfar last season resulted in two wins from two at Balmoor, while their opponents on October 31 Stenhousemuir didn’t even manage a goal on their visits last term, Peterhead taking maximum points.

Stenny did make the trip north-east on the opening day of the campaign and managed to take a point. They came flying out the blocks that day and it needed a home comeback to grab a draw.

Rustiness can be blamed for that showing and McInally’s men can hit back with a victory next time.

Following those two encounters, a trip to Albion Rovers ensues, and while they didn’t get maximum spoils on their two most recent visits (in 2013-14), a pair of unbeaten excursions don’t look too shabby.

And in Ladbrokes’ Master of Work award winner for August, Rory McAllister, the Aberdeenshire outfit have just the right man for at least two of the upcoming trio of fixtures.

While he has not found the net in seven matches against Forfar, the 28-year-old has an excellent 14 in 15 against the pair of Stenhousemuir and Albion Rovers.

Continue that sort of return and his side could match their exploits in those fixtures last year to blast them up the ladder and see their promotion odds shortened once again.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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