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Oct 20

Newmachar United v Dufftown

Match Reports 23/24

Newmachar Utd 3-1 Dufftown.

We progressed into the next round of the Quest Engineering Inter Regional Cup with a deserved victory over Dufftown in wet & blustery conditions. For the first time in a while we had a full squad to choose from, minus Peter Melvin, Bruce Dryburgh & Ronan McMillan. Skipper Euan Dryburgh also made his first start of the season.

We kicked off into the strong wind and put the away side under pressure right from the start and went ahead after 15 minutes when Greg Wood was fouled as he held off the defender. Ryan Whelan stepped up and put the keeper the wrong way.

We kept the pressure on and we doubled our lead after some good play down the left saw Jamie Boylan cut into the box, played a 1-2 with Greg Wood then smashed the ball high into the net.

We created another couple of chances but we couldn’t increase our lead and we went in at half time comfortably 2 up.

HT 2-0

The away side came out with a point to prove and they started far better than us. They were playing some good football but didn’t have that final ball to trouble our defence. We were struggling to keep possession and the wind carried though balls all the way through.

The visitors deservedly got a goal back direct from a freekick about 25 yards as Kris Duncan curled the ball around the wall and into the net. This seemed to give us the wake up call we needed as we started to play a bit better and were breaking with pace but couldn’t find the final ball to kill the game.

Dufftown were still working away but we put the game to bed when two substitutes combined for our third when a Tait Duthie corner to the far post was met by an unmarked Jason Davie and he volleyed the ball into the roof of the net. Both teams had a couple of chances but there was no further scoring so we progress to the second round where we will meet Banks O’ Dee at Charlies.

FT 3-1.

Photos courtesy of Simon Robertson

Oct 09

Dyce v Newmachar United

Match Reports 23/24

Dyce 2-0 Newmachar Utd

Derby day under the lights as we headed a few miles into Ian Mair Park with an unbeaten Dyce side in the way of 3 points. We welcomed back Kyle Munro, Ross Gibson and Jason Davie to the starting line up with Gerrie, Walton, Gammie, McMillan & Robb on the bench albeit not 100% fit. Jamie Boylan made his first appearance since joining from Bridge of Don Thistle. Missing were Stevo Young, Peter Melvin, Ryan Cormack, Jack Cowie, Bruce Dryburgh.

We ended up with nothing after an encouraging first half where we matched our established neighbours and created the better chances without troubling the home keeper. New signing Jamie Boylan blazed three shots over the bar and Jason Davie put a shot just past the post. Greg Wood missed another opportunity before disaster struck on the stroke of half time when we conceded a penalty kick as Ross Gibson fouled the home winger. Simon Mitchell almost made it a hat trick of saves as he got his fingertips to the spot kick but it crept in off the post to put the home side ahead at the break.

HT 1-0

The home side came out for the second half with a point to prove and dominated possession, but we were holding firm until the hour mark when a corner came in and the centre forward somehow found himself unmarked at the far post to double the home sides lead.

We were under pressure but our makeshift defence was dealing with most attacks and limited the home side to some half chances but none really troubled Simon in goal. We kept on going right to the end but the home side picked up the 3 points and remain unbeaten in the league.

Yet more positives form the game and we move onto our next game.

FT 2-0

NUFC Team – Mitchell, Munro, Robertson, Reynolds, Watt, Boylan, Wood, Watt, Gibson, Whelan, Duthie

Subs – Collins, Gammie, Walton, Robb, McMillan, E Dryburgh, Gerrie

We caught up with the gaffer after the game to get his thoughts…

I knew if we let Dyce ahead they’d dominate possession and we’d struggle to get into the game. I thought we were good first half and if we’d taken one of the chances we created then it would’ve asked some different questions of Dyce. The penalty right on half time changes things and momentum swings in their favour. The second goal kills the game. But take the 2 mistakes away and we leave with a draw, so there’s a lot of positives to take. We’ve competed with another top side while missing 5 or 6 regular starters and had we been a bit more clinical in front of goal, maybe come away with something. We tired into the second half and with only really one fit sub, it was always going to be tough trying to chase a 2-0 deficit on a big pitch against such a good side.

Photos courtesy of Dyce Football Club
Oct 09

Bridge of Don Thistle v Newmachar United

Match Reports 23/24

Bridge of Don Thistle 1-2 Newmachar Utd

We made the short trip into Aberdeen for this McBookie.com North Region Premier League game to take on Bridge of Don Thistle. Calum Reid made the squad after missing 2 weeks and Ryan Whelan came back in after 3 weeks away. Ross Gibson, Kyle Munro, Jamie Gammie, Craig Robb, Ronan McMillan all missed out due to injury with Jason Davie suspended and Jack Cowie on holiday.

BoDT kicked us off and started fast, looking for an early opener. After creating a few half chances they were awarded a penalty with Stevo Young adjudged to have fouled the BoDT striker in the box.

Simon Mitchell guessed the right way and saved low to his left to kick off what was to be a man of the match performance.

Stewart Gerrie came off injured to be replaced by Calum Reid early on with a hamstring issue.

BoDT were knocking on the door with a few half chances but we took the lead on the half hour mark as Lewis Robertson whipped in an inswinging corner straight into the side netting.

2 knocks to the head saw Ryan Cormack off to hospital with concussion and he was replaced at half time by the Euan Dryburgh as he continues his road back to full fitness after his leg break.

HT 0-1

The second half started much the same. BoDT having much of the ball as we were happy to sit in our compact shape and play on the counter.

It proved fruitful as Greg Wood chased down a BoDT CB into the box and won the ball back only to be pulled down for a penalty which Ryan Whelan stepped up to send the Salmon in the BoDT goals, the wrong way and put us 2-0 up in the 57th minute

BoDT were again knocking on the door and another 2 great stops from Simon Mitchell in our goal kept them out. The cross bar saved us from a 20 yard wonder strike with the BoDT midfielder unfortunate to see it come back off the bar and cleared to safety.

We were causing BoDT problems with the pace and aggression of Tait Duthie & Greg Wood but decision making, good defending and the final ball just letting us down a little.

We would concede however as a long ball bounced through and the Striker got the wrong side of our defence and smashed home from a tight angle to set up a nervy last half hour.

A gritty, mature performance saw us manage the game well until the 95th minute, the BoDT striker turned Peter Melvin in the corner of the box and as he pulled him to the ground, the referee had no option but to award the spot kick.

Simon again dived low to his left to save his second penalty of the day and cap off his man of the match performance on a day where it could’ve been awarded to anyone of the squad.

We held out under pressure to claim a massive 3 points and put an end to  a run of 6 defeats and a draw in the last 7 games.

FT 1-2

NUFC Team – Mitchell, Young, Melvin, Robertson, Reynolds, Watt, Gerrie, Wood, Cormack, Whelan, Duthie

Subs – Collins, Reid, Munro, Walton, Robb, McMillan, E Dryburgh

We caught up with the gaffer after the game to get his thoughts…

Huge relief. Not entirely a surprise as i know we’ve got that in us. Most people probably didn’t see it coming after the run we’ve been on but i felt a change in the atmosphere at training through the week. No footballer likes a run of 7 games without a win and the performance showed that.

Listen, on another day BoDT score 4 maybe 5 goals but i think it was our turn for a rub of the green and i think we probably earned it with the work rate and bodies on the line type performance. I think it’s fair to say every player put in a 7 or higher. Most were 8s and 9s. It’s great for the team spirit to get that result with so many boys missing. 2 coming off injured in the first half and only really 2 properly fit subs.
The players have set their standard again after a tricky start. We’ve probably been licking our wounds for a few weeks but hopefully now we can kick on and get some more points on the board to keep us in the league.

Photos courtesy of Simon Robertson
Jul 10

Forfar West End v Newmachar United

Match Reports 23/24

Forfar West End 0-3 Newmachar Utd

Another good workout as we work towards the August 1st. A depleted squad travelled to face Forfar West End with 6 players missing from Wednesday’s game at Huntly along with 5 who missed that game. Stevo Young returned after illness.

Newmachar had most of the play and created some early chances through Cormack & Wood. Forfar were dangerous on the break as they grew into the game but it was Cowie who scored with a crossed from the right, cleverly left by Cormack and Cowie had time to control and pick his spot.

Forfar had a chance blocked by Melvin and later a shot came back off the bar before Gerrie and a West End player clashed heads sending them both of the pitch and Gerrie off to hospital.

The second half saw Newmachar extend their lead through another Cowie goal and Wood netted to make it 3. The game became quite open as legs started to tire in a sweltering heat.

Despite a few chances from West End we kept a clean sheet through some excellent defensive work.

FT 0-3

NUFC Team – Robb, Gibson, Melvin, Walton, Robertson, Reynolds, Watt, Gerrie, Wood, Cormack, Cowie

Subs – Collins, Young, Merchant, Duthie, Milne

We caught up with the gaffer after the game to get his thoughts…

Another great run out and minutes into the boys. A wee bit too open at times and some missed chances but with the heat and it being our second game, it was to be expected. There was a lot of good to take from the game as we carry on preparations for the new season. Speedy recovery to both Gerrie and the young lad from West End.

Photos courtesy of Simon Robertson
Jun 08

Newmachar United v Deveronside

Match Reports 22/23

Newmachar Utd 0-0 Deveronside

WE ARE PROMOTED TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE!

We managed to secure the point we required to secure promotion to the Premier League but it was another nervy night in a game that should have been a comfortable win but for missed chances, good saves from the away keeper and a few shots cleared off the line it meant we were glad when the final whistle blew for full time.

This is a fantastic achievement for the Club and we look forward to next season and the challenges that being Premier League brings with it.

FT 0-0

NUFC Team – Mitchell, B Dryburgh, Young, Robertson, Walton, Reynolds, Munro, Duthie, Wood, Mewse, Cowie

Subs – Collins, Whyte, Gerrie, Watt

We caught up with the gaffer after the game to get his thoughts…

We’re up! That’s all that mattered. Brilliant achievement for everyone at the club. Probably should’ve been done already. Taking it to the very last game wasn’t ideal, it’s been a nervy last few weeks. Glad we’ve done it ourselves and not had to wait on results from other clubs.

Photos courtesy of Simon Robertson
May 03

Newmachar United v Sunnybank

Match Reports 22/23

Newmachar Utd 2-0 Sunnybank

We welcomed Ryan Whelan, Sol Collins & Liam Mewse back to the squad with Murray Dawson dropping out with work.

What a big performance tonight with everyone playing their part in getting us back on track with a solid hard fought 3 points against the league leaders.

After two defeats in a week on our travels it was important we got back to winning ways at home.

The first 20 minutes was all blood and thunder with not much football being played and very little clear cut chances created by two teams who both knew the importance of the game.

But it was who broke the deadlock and got our noses in front when a break down the left saw Conor Watts efforts stopped by the away defenders arm in the box. Ryan Whelan stepped up and placed the penalty past the away keeper to put us in front.

We gradually took hold of the game and went further ahead when a ball was played over the top Ryan Cormack raced onto it and with two defenders breathing down his neck and the away keeper advancing he coolly lobbed the ball over the keeper from 20 yards to put us two up not long before the half time whistle.

HT 2-0

We knew the away side would look to come out of the blocks at the start of the second half but we coped very well and Simon Mitchell wasn’t really bothered apart from a driven shot he saved comfortably.

We started to play some good football and created a number of chances throughout the half with Conor Watt having a shot tipped over the bar, Ryan Cormack just missing a ball at the far post, Caly Reid putting the ball wide when one on one with the keeper and Liam Mewse got into a couple of good positions but tried to square it when he might have been better shooting.

Although we had the chances we restricted the away side to long range efforts and as the half went on the away side became more frustrated and their discipline started to erode with several bookings and then a red card for dissent in the final 10 minutes which made their job harder to come back.

We managed the game well and held onto our lead to take a very valuable 3 points.

To rub salt into the away sides wounds another player was sent off after the final whistle for something he said to the referee.

FT 2-0

NUFC Team – Mitchell, B Dryburgh, Young, Robertson, Walton, Reynolds, Reid, Watt, Whelan, Mewse, Cormack

Subs – Munro, E Dryburgh, Cowie, Duthie, Collins, Baxter, Whyte

We caught up with the gaffer after the game to get his thoughts…

Great to see us back. Great performance from the lads. Obviously they were very disappointed with the past 2 games and were keen to put that right. They’ve done it and being a bit more clinical could’ve had a couple more. I thought we were defensively solid and especially second half, caused them a lot of issues going forward as they pushed to try and get back in the game. Hopefully that momentum now carries into the remaining games and gets us over the line starting with what will be another very tough game against Glentanar

Photos courtesy of Simon Robertson
May 03

Forres Thistle v Newmachar United

Match Reports 22/23

Forres Thistle 2-1 Newmachar Utd

We travelled up to Forres hoping to put Tuesday’s result behind us but we fell short despite enough big chances to win the game.

We started the game slowly and were punished as the home side scored two headed goals in the opening 20 minutes leaving us a mountain to climb.

The home side were the better team in the first half and deserved their lead at the break although we did have a great chance when Calum Reid hit the crossbar from a far post diving header but apart from that we created very little to trouble the home defence. A penalty shout was waved away as Conor Watt was take down on the by line after he’d crossed.

HT 2-0

We came out in the second half with a change of attitude and pinned the home side back and eventually got a goal when Ryan Cormack beat the offside trap, rounded the keeper and placed the ball past the defender on the line.

He then hit the post and the home keeper had a great close range save from Stevo Young.

As we were looking for the equaliser we were prone to the counter attack and the home side did create a few chances but Simon Mitchell dealt with them easily. We just ran out of time but credit to the home side who defended stubbornly and they held out for a 2-1 win which takes them within a point of us but we have a game in hand.

FT 2-1

NUFC Team – Mitchell, Dawson, Young, Robertson, Walton, Gerrie, Munro, Reid, Watt, Whelan, Wood

Subs – B Dryburgh, E Dryburgh, Cowie, Duthie, Reynolds, Baxter

We caught up with the gaffer after the game to get his thoughts…

Nearly. A much better performance in the second half. We have to start better and defend crosses into the box. We’ve been so good defensively for so long, the past two games are hard to explain but hopefully we can continue the way we finished the game into another tough game on Tuesday.

Photos courtesy of Simon Robertson
May 03

Buchanhaven Hearts v Newmachar United

Match Reports 22/23

Buchanhaven Hearts 3-0 Newmachar Utd

We travelled up to Peterhead with a full squad but our 9 game winning run came to a shuddering end after a poor performance allowed the home side a comfortable win in the promotion race.

A driving run from the skipper saw him play a pass into Whelan who, off balance, pulled his shot wide. That was about all we managed in the game and gifted Hearts 3 goals with our sloppy play.

At half time it was only 1-0 and we hoped we could raise it in the second half but it wasn’t to be.

We move onto the next game away to Forres on Saturday.

NUFC Team – Mitchell, E Dryburgh, Young, Robertson, B Dryburgh, Gerrie, Munro, Reid, Watt, Mewse, Whelan

Subs – Wood, Dawson, Baxter, Cowie, Cormack, Mewse, Reynolds

We caught up with the gaffer after the game to get his thoughts…

For as good as we’ve been the past 10 games or so, we were awful tonight. It’s unusual to see the whole squad miles off it. We never got the ball into Wheels feet or managed to get the wide men into it. Credit to Hearties, they were clinical when the chances arose and probably should’ve had a few more if it wasn’t for big Si in the sticks. Disappointing night and hopefully just a blip we can put behind us and move on to Saturday.

Photos courtesy of Simon Robertson
May 03

Newmachar United v New Elgin

Match Reports 22/23

Newmachar Utd 4-0 New Elgin

We secured another 3 points with a comfortable win over New Elgin to keep our promotion hopes alive.

An early Ryan Cormack goal put us ahead but we struggled to get another goal until midway through when Murray Dawson rose high in the box and bulleted a header past the goalkeeper from a Lewis Robertson corner.

We created a couple of other chances but the away keeper had a couple of good saves to keep it at 2 as we tried to keep playing football on a fiery surface.

HT 2-0

The second half followed the same pattern with us trying to play possession football and we stretched our lead when a Lewis Robertson free kick was swung to the far post and Murray Dawson met the cross but his powerful header was brilliantly saved by the away keeper but Ryan Cormack was first to react and he headed in the rebound from close range.

Ryan Cormack then shortly after completed his hat trick when he controlled the ball first time and fired a shot past the keeper to make it 4-0.

We created another number of chances but Sol Collins, Kyle Munro and Greg Wood missed them and the away keeper made a couple of good saves from Liam Mewse.

The game ended with us claiming the 3 points and now looking forward to Tuesday nights game away at fellow promotion hopefuls Buchanhaven Hearts.

FT 4-0

NUFC Team – Mitchell, E Dryburgh, Robertson, B Dryburgh, Dawson, Reynolds, Collins, Reid, Cormack, Wood, Whelan

Subs – Watt, Young, Walton, Gerrie, Munro, Baxter, Mewse

We caught up with the gaffer after the game to get his thoughts…

Good team performance. Great to see Ryan getting a hat-trick. Probably should’ve added a couple more but a clean sheet and 3 points taking us into a tough game on Tuesday

Photos courtesy of Simon Robertson
Apr 19

Euan Dryburgh makes his comeback!

Latest News

It’s been a tough 18 months for the now club skipper.

A shoulder injury at home to Cruden Bay ruled him out for months of last season and then a leg break in the first pre season friendly against Forfar West End saw the skipper face another lengthy battle to get back on the pitch.

But he’s made it and with 30 mins remaining he played a vital part in our visit to Islavale, winning 4-3 with a stoppage time winner from Caly Reid.

Here’s what he had to say…

It’s been a long, slow road to recovery and I’m delighted to have made it back into the team this season. That was the goal from the days/weeks after I broke my leg, with the gaffer saying he was going to plan for a season without me. It gave me something to focus on regaining strength to get back as early and as fit as I could. I’m happy to have achieved it, even better that we managed to grind out the win in the way that we did. Now we’re into the business end of the season I’m hoping to play as big a role as I can. That character shown will be hugely important for us in the next few months as we really try to push for promotion.