Category Archives for "Season 22/23"

The pitch was in good condition considering all the wet weather the past 2 weeks and came out the traps on the front foot, controlling the possession and breaking at pace but couldn’t find the final ball to make our possession count.

The home keeper pulled off three cracking saves, two from Conor Watt with the first one as he cut in from the left, he made himself big and the shot hit off his chest and out for a corner. The next effort was a Conor Watt shot from the edge of the box. It took a couple of deflections and looked like it was spinning into the far corner but he managed to stretch out his leg and put it out for another corner.

Then Ryan Whelan had a shot from 18 yards which he tipped over the bar.

Although it was mostly us the home side did create a couple of chances of their own but nothing to trouble Simon.

It was looking like we were going to go into half time all square, however captain Ryan Whelan stopped that after a good move he struck a cross goal shot that nestled in the far corner to put us deservedly in front at the break.

HT 0-1

The home side came out for the second half with something to prove and put us under some pressure without really troubling Simon Mitchell in goal, although they were quicker and more determined than us to get the ball and get back into the game.

Midway through the second half we stretched our lead after Kyle Munro headed the ball into the path of Liam Mewse who beat the defender to the ball and as he played it past him he was wiped out in the box to give us a penalty.

Ryan Whelan stepped up and although the home keeper went the right way the shot was too hard to keep out.

The home side got themselves back into the game after a corner was headed back across our goal and the home forward headed it into the net.

This gave the home some belief and they put us under some more pressure but we were dangerous on the counter and so it proved when an angled pass into the left wing area was met by Tait Duthie, who had out sprinted the full back and he chipped the ball over the advancing keeper into the net.

We managed the game well after that and held onto the lead to secure another valuable 3 points against a sticky home side who never gave up.

FT 1-3

It was a big win and puts a bit of space between us and Longside who would’ve jumped us in the table, although they’ve played 4 games more. At this point we just need to keep winning games and stay close to the pack.

I felt we dominated much of the game and maybe could’ve scored before we did but we kept at it, and to score three at a tricky venue sets us up for a massive run of games.

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.

Gaffer

We’re in a good moment. Playing well with some good experience and a physical presence about us. Although we’re still missing a few, we’re getting a few boys back now and some of the younger lads doing well so we’ve some healthy competition for places. Kyle & Calum have settled in really well and seem to be enjoying their football too.

It’s good for the players confidence and for the club as a whole to beat premier league opposition, especially after feeling we let ourselves down in the Scottish cup fixture at East End. While East End are up at the top end of the Premier League, Banchory being a young side with good technical players, moved the ball really well in the first 15 minutes until we settled into the game. Dufftown brought a different type of challenge in they’re a physical more experienced side so to deal with both is really pleasing.

It’s important we keep these standards up and try to really kick on over the next few months and do what we can to be around the promotion places come April/May time.

Gaffer

We started poor and gave ourselves a mountain to climb. We’ll take the positives in that East End are 4th or 5th best team in the North Region just now if you look at the league table and i didn’t think there was much between the teams. A poor first 45 cost us. East End were probably a bit more experienced than us and took their chances where we didn’t. At 2-1 the next goal is crucial and with us pushing for the equaliser, it leaves a lot of spaces at the back and East End got their third to kill it. Another step in the learning process for this group of players as we build what we hope can be a great future for the club.

The fact the boys are in the dressing room hurting at losing to one of the strongest junior teams in the area shows where the club is heading.

Gaffer

We started poor and couldn’t really get any momentum. Giving the ball away to easily and we never really got our wingers into the game at all. The pitch was tough to play on with the amount of rain falling overnight.

Bitterly disappointed to fall behind from the decision to award the corner but credit to the guys who found a way to get the ball over the line. We nearly sneaked it right at the end with a shot from Liam but he couldn’t quite keep it down.

All in all a draw was probably a fair result over the 90 in what really was a terrible game of football. We’ll take the positives from it, a point away from home against the league leaders while missing a lot of boys and not playing well at all.

Gaffer

I thought the lads were fantastic. Liam got man of the match but it could’ve been any from 8, maybe 9 players. Neil Scott & Stewart Gerrie in the centre were outstanding. Neil looks like a young boy just enjoying playing football again. The whole back 5 were solid the entire day which was very pleasing.

Letham started fast which we knew they would but we stood strong and took the wind out of their sails a bit with the goal in 15 minutes. We thought the timing of any goals scored could be crucial to how the game panned out and it did. The early goal set us up then as the game got into the latter stages we knew Lethem would start to commit men forward and Wheels pops up with a header with 15 minutes to go was perfect timing to give us a bit of comfort and again, knock the wind out of Lethem.

We need to keep this level of consistency up, especially with a tricky run of games in October.

Gaffer

Wasn’t a great first half performance from us. We didn’t pass the ball well and were fortunate to only be a goal down but thanks to the cross bar and a great save from Si, we made it to half time. That said, we’d a huge chance from Gerrie and what everyone felt was a stonewall penalty on Greg, turned down. We made a few changes at half time and other than conceding the goal, which you can leave yourself open to when you’re going for it, i felt we controlled the majority of the half and scored 4 great goals.

Delighted for Liam getting a double, Jacko took his goal well and was a thorn in their side when he came on. Ryan’s goal was a touch of magic although he’ll now miss a few weeks with a pulled hamstring.

Gaffer

Firstly it’s great to be in the next round with a home tie against Letham. I felt we were in control for long spells today but at 1-0 it always makes for a nervy last 5 or 10 minutes with a few late balls going into our box. Credit to the lads though as they stood strong and dealt with it. We said at half time we need to have the belief to play a bit more on a good surface and i think we did that. The only thing missing was another goal or 2 with the chances we created but on the whole a very good performance.