Burghead Thistle v Newmachar Utd

We travelled without the suspended Bruce Dryburgh & Ryan Whelan. Peter Melvin, Neil Scott & skipper Euan Dryburgh all out with long term injuries.

A tremendous team performance meant we returned from Burghead with the valuable 3 points but we made hard work of it for ourselves as ended the game with 9 men.We started the game well and immediately put the home side under pressure and created a few half chances but didn’t test the home keeper.

We went down 10 men after Calum Reid was sent off for a lunging tackle after 30 minutes.We managed to go ahead a few minutes later when Ryan Cormack rifled in a low shot from the edge of the box past the outstretched keeper.

We continued to be in command even with 10 men but just couldn’t find the end product some of our football deserved and in a rare effort Simon Mitchell pushed a shot around the post so we went in at half time 1-0 up.

Half Time – 0-1

We came out for the second half with the same approach and again put the home side under pressure right from the kick off with Greg Wood having two quick fire chances but he put one over the bar and the keeper saved the other one.

The home side not really offering much even with a man advantage but they did put us under a bit of pressure and it was during this time that they got the equaliser. After a series of corners they played a low one in at the near post and Nichol flicked it into the net. A bit harsh on the boys as they had defended resolutely to that point.

We did not give up and with about 15 minutes to go we went ahead again after a smart move down the right ended with Greg Wood placing a header into the far corner from a Kyle Munro cross.

Unfortunately Murray Dawson who had been booked a short time before, was shown a second yellow for dissent towards a home player whilst celebrating the goal.

The boys buckled down and defended staunchly and kept great concentration and organisation to keep the home side out and limited them to a few long range efforts to earn themselves a hard fought 3 points on the road.

Full Time 1-2

That’s a massive 3 points considering. I thought both reds were harsh and there maybe could’ve been 2 the other way but that’s football. Massive character from the lads to dig in with 9 men. I feared the worst when they equalised but what a header from Greg to win it and then a backs to the wall 20 minutes to see it out. It’s a tricky place to go and they’ve some very good players so hopefully we can kick on from here and the put the past 2 weeks behind us.