Newmachar Utd v Dyce
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