Category Archives for "Match Reports 23/24"

Feb 14

Newmachar Utd v Dyce

Match Reports 23/24

Newmachar Utd 2-1 Dyce

Missing today were Greg Wood, Ryan Cormack, Bruce Dryburgh & Connor Walton who serves his last of a 2 game ban. New signing Connor Knowles was in the squad for the first time.

We welcomed our unbeaten neighbours to Charlies and were hoping to gain revenge for the narrow 2-0 defeat we suffered at Ian Mair Park earlier in the season.

The game started at a fast pace with both teams playing at a high tempo, we survived an early scare but then a quick break down the right after 5 minutes saw Calum Reid play a ball into the box where Ryan Whelan hit a sweet right footed shot past the away keeper.

Within 10 minutes we then doubled our lead when a driven Ryan Whelan corner was headed home in the 6 yard box by the onrushing Stevo Young.

Dyce were threatening with some quick football but the final balls into the box were being dealt with by our defenders.

After 20 minutes we had the chance to treble our lead when we were awarded a penalty after a Tait Duthie strike was handled in the box. Ryan Whelan stepped up but surprisingly shot tamely and the keeper saved it to his right.

We were working hard and competing well all over the pitch and deserved to go in at the half in the lead.

HT 2-0

We knew Dyce would come out quick in the second half and although they were having a lot of possession we were defending well. Big Si in our goals was called upon to make a good save from a shot from the left side of the box but then we lost a soft goal when a good driven cross into the box took a deflection and Simon let it bounce up in his hands which gave the away forward the chance to nick it away and it ended up in the net.

Dyce were throwing everything at us and Simon had a couple of smart one on one saves to stop the equaliser. Peter Melvin made a last ditch tackle to stop an almost certain goal but damaged his lcl in the process.

Although Dyce were on top we were always a danger on the break and made a couple of good half chances with the Dyce keeper producing a great point blank save to keep out a Tait Duthie effort.

We held on for an important 3 points, holding our own against our long established neighbours.

FT 2-1

NUFC Team – Mitchell, E Dryburgh, Young, Melvin, Gibson, Reynolds, Reid, Gerrie, Watt, Duthie, Whelan.

Subs – Robertson, Boylan, Cowie, Knowles, Davie, Munro, McMillan

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

I thought today we were fantastic. Good quick play, early goals, and some great defensive work. 3-0 might’ve gave us an easier afternoon but the keeper saved the penalty well. Another day i think the score could’ve been 5-5. But it’s a huge 3 points for us in our fight to stay in the league, soured a bit by the injury to big Melv, hopefully it’s not too serious and he’s back soon.

Photos courtesy of Simon Robertson

Dec 11

East End v Newmachar Utd

Match Reports 23/24

East End 1-1 Newmachar Utd

Missing today were Greg Wood, Ryan Cormack, Jason Davie, Ryan Whelan & Bruce Dryburgh.

We come away with a well deserved point after a late Jamie Boylan goal drew the game level after the home side scored within the first two minutes.

Just like the last game the home side went ahead when the striker sneaked in between Kyle & Stevo, and although Simon Mitchell got a hand to the header the ball dropped over the line after hitting the underside of the bar.

The lads made sure we didn’t lose a second as the home side started brightly without really creating another chance. We grew into the game and for the last 25 minutes of the half we dominated the possession and created 3 very good chances, however James McMahon after a good weaving run into the box had his shot saved by the feet of the home keeper, Stewart Gerrie blazed over the bar after a snapshot from a corner and Calum Reid had a goal bound shot headed off the line. For all the possession we just could not find the net shooting down the hill.

HT 1-0

The second half was more of an even battle with both teams scrapping for everything but not really creating any chances although the home side had a good chance after the home winger broke through but slid his shot past the post.

It was looking like another frustrating day but with 5 minutes to go Jamie Boylan found a bit of space on the left where he cut in and rifled a shot goal wards and a home defender stuck out a foot and it diverted the ball into the net for a deserved equaliser.

With minutes left Connor Walton was shown a straight red card but the 10 men held out for a point. Another good battling team performance where we didn’t stop working and got our reward for perseverance.

FT 1-1

NUFC Team – Mitchell, E Dryburgh, Young, Munro, Walton, Reynolds, Reid, Gerrie, Watt, Cowie, McMahon.

Subs – Robertson, Boylan, Duthie, Melvin

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

Not the start we were looking for and disappointing to not win the game from the chances we created but we kept going and got the point

Photos courtesy of Simon Robertson

Dec 11

Newmachar Utd v Nairn St Ninian

Match Reports 23/24

Newmachar Utd 4-2 Nairn St Ninian

Missing today were Greg Wood, Ryan Cormack, Jason Davie, Bruce Dryburgh & Simon Mitchell

We gained a valuable 3 points after a comfortable win in the end. It was quite an even start to the game but we went ahead after 9 minutes from a well worked goal when Ryan Whelan controlled a Connor Walton throw in, turned his man and passed into the path of Calum Reid who took one touch and curled a shot into the opposite corner.

Nairn got back into the game after 17 minutes after a move down the right ended with the away forward being first to the high ball to the far post.

We then had a couple of great chances to go ahead. Euan Dryburgh drove forwards from left back, played a 1/2 with James McMahon at the edge of the box but saw his shot saved by the keeper and looped onto the bar and out for a goal kick.

Conor Watt was played through by McMahon but the keeper got down well to save the shot.

We did go ahead after 35 minutes. A Conor Watt throw was controlled by McMahon who passed it into the path of Watt who curled nicely into the far corner.

Nairn had a couple of half chances but they didn’t really trouble debutant Aaron Anderson in our goal.

HT 2-1

The second half was the same as the first with both teams having a go at each other with half chances being created at both ends. We did increase our lead when Josh Reynolds played the ball out wide and burst into the 18 yard box Calum Reid cut the ball back into his path and he finished nicely, low into the opposite corner.

We then went further ahead 10 minutes later when another throw in was laid off by Jack Cowie and James McMahon rolled it home. Conor Watt then hit the post before the away side got a consolation second in the final minute when the away forward beat the offside and his shot was saved well by Aaron in goal but it looped just under the bar into the net.

A good performance with a lot of good football played to gain a valuable 3 points.

FT 4-2

NUFC Team – Anderson, E Dryburgh, Young, Munro, Walton, Reynolds, Reid, Gerrie, Watt, Whelan, McMahon.

Subs – Gammie, Melvin, Cowie, Gibson, Robertson, Boylan, Robb

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

Good performance from us on a wet, heavy pitch, and obviously delighted with the 4 goals even though we probably should’ve had a couple more. But the main thing is the 3 points and not letting teams below us gain advantage at our expense. Caly & Jimmer were a threat through out and other than the 2 goals, i thought we defended our box well.

Photos courtesy of Simon Robertson

Dec 11

Fraserburgh Utd v Newmachar Utd

Match Reports 23/24

Fraserburgh Utd 2-1 Newmachar Utd.

Missing today were Greg Wood, Jason Davie, Bruce Dryburgh, Connor Walton, Ross Gibson, Peter Melvin & Ronan McMillan

We left the Buchan coast with nothing after a late winner from the home side settled a close encounter. It was a game of two halves with us dominating the first 45 as we started off on the front foot and created a couple of early chances but Jamie Boylan and then Ryan Cormack blazed shots wide and over the bar.

We were playing some good football on a very heavy pitch and midway through the half we went ahead after a good move down the left saw Euan Dryburgh drive into the box fired low across the 6 yard box where Ryan Cormack met it and buried the shot into the net.

We then had a chance to go further ahead after a scramble in the box saw Steven Young hit the bar from close range. Fraserburgh grew into the game but we limited them to long range efforts that didn’t cause us too much problems.

The half came to an end with us holding a slender lead.

HT 0-1

The second half was completely different as the home side came out and pushed us back from the start and Simon Mitchell kept us in the lead with a great save from a close range. We struggled to get any constructive possession as the home side kept us pinned back.

They deservedly drew level, a brilliant header from the edge of the box looped over Simon in goals.

The game opened up with both teams attacking at pace, and we had a couple of chances to go ahead when James McMahon shot tamely after breaking free, Calum Reid then blazed over the bar after a good move down the right, Jack Cowie then had a shot blocked in the 6 yard box after another quick breakaway.

The home keeper then pulled off a tremendous save when Lewis Robertson struck a great long range shot that was tipped over the bar.

The home also created a few chances that were wasted and then disaster struck in the final minutes when a corner for the home side was not cleared at the front post and as it bounced across the box it hit the home forward on the thigh and ended up in the net.

Another close game where it could of have been different if we had taken our chances in the first half but another good team performance with the fine margins being the difference again.

FT 2-1

NUFC Team – Mitchell, E Dryburgh, Young, Munro, Reynolds, Reid, Duthie, Watt, Whelan, Cormack.

Subs – McMahon, Cowie, Collins, Robertson, Gerrie, Robb, Gammie

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

Sore one to take but we know all too well if you don’t take the chances then it can happen. Very poor defending from us at the corner. You can’t switch off or you get punished. Although they came out a different side after half time, i still felt we had the better of the chances but failed to take them. We should’ve came away with a point but it’s another step in learning curve for our boys. Blow losing Ryan again to a hamstring injury as he flicked it over the lads head, had he not pulled up he was in on the keeper. Hopefully it’s not too serious and he’s back soon.

Photos courtesy of Simon Robertson

Nov 06

Rothie Rovers v Newmachar Utd

Match Reports 23/24

Rothie Rovers 0-2 Newmachar Utd.

Machar made the short trip to Rothienorman without Jamie Gammie, Craig Robb, Ronan McMillan, Peter Melvin, James McMahon, Ross Gibson and long term absentee, Bruce Dryburgh. A disciplined and organised performance on a good pitch after all the rain meant we continue our winning streak against our near neighbours.

We allowed the home side to have the upper hand in terms of possession but limited them to very few clear cut chances apart from the opening minute when they missed a glorious chance to go ahead but after that the home side huffed and puffed without really troubling us too much.

Greg Wood broke through 1 on 1 with the keeper but a great saved denied the opening goal.

Shortly after, an awkward landing forced him off with a knee injury to be replaced by Tait Duthie on 24 minutes.

The first half ended 0-0 without too much to shout about.

The second half followed the vein of the first half where we restricted the home side to long range efforts and with 20 minutes to go we fortunately went ahead after a lofted freekick by Tait Duthie to the back post slipped through the hands of the keeper and into the net.

Boylan then found himself 1 on 1 with the keeper but he saved low to keep Rothie in the game. Cormack also found himself 1 on 1 with the keeper but both times, the ref blew for offside.

We weren’t to be denied though, and 10 minutes later we doubled our lead after our subs Jamie Boylan & Jack Cowie combined. Boylan made a good break down the right and cut it back into the path of Jack Cowie who drilled a lovely shot into the bottom left hand corner.

The home side threw everything at us in the final 10 minutes but we held strong and took a valuable 3 points home.

A very good, organised performance by the whole squad and although the home side had a lot of possession we showed our resilience and held firm. When the opportunities arose we took them in yet another tight competitive game between the teams.

FT 0-2

NUFC Team – Mitchell, E Dryburgh, Young, Munro, Reynolds, Gerrie, Davie, Watt, Whelan, Wood, Cormack.

Subs – Boylan, Cowie, Collins, Duthie

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

Yea, massive 3 points in a week where i’m shocked there was any games on to be honest. A full 90 minutes for the skipper for the first time since the collor bone at Cruden Bay. Delighted for him. Hopefully the injury to Greg isn’t a bad one and he’s back soon.

We knew if we defended well, kept our organisation, our tactical discipline, we’d always get a few chances. I thought first half we defended well but other than Greg’s chance we didn’t do enough going forward. Don’t think the shape worked so we changed it at half time and i thought second half we were excellent throughout the whole squad.
Obviously the longer it goes, the more frustrated Rothie get, the more it opens up a wee bit for us. I feel for Lewis in the Rothie goal, but we’ll take it. I think we maybe should’ve had a penalty too but it was waved away. Cormack is 1 on 1 with the keeper twice but both were flagged offside and he’s saved well 1 on 1 from Boylan. Then Jacko does what we know he can do and seals the game for us with that strike.

Photos courtesy of Simon Robertson

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