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Islavale 3-4 Newmachar Utd
We travelled up to Keith with Drew McDermid, Conor Watt, Ryan Whelan, Tait Duthie, Stewart Gerrie, Connor Walton, Jack Cowie & Murray Dawson all missing through work, weddings & holidays.
We dominated the first half and should have been ahead in the first 10 minutes after a couple of good moves gave firstly Greg Wood the chance but his shot was blocked by the home defender, Liam Mewse then had a chance but the keeper saved at his near post. Calum Reid then shot past the post from close range.
We were playing some good possession football but we’re then hit by a sucker punch when the home side went ahead against the run of play when they broke down their left and when the ball was squared the unmarked midfielder placed his shot into the top corner.
We responded and again put the home side under pressure but the ball would not break for our players but just before half time we got level when Lewis Robertson fired in a cross which was cushioned by Ryan Cormack in the box and he turned the defender and fired in a left shot into the net.
HT 1-1
We came out for the second half in the same vain and went ahead after a good move down the right ended with Josh Reynolds putting in a great cross which was met by Greg Wood who headed against the bar and Ryan Cormack was quickest to react and he tapped in his and our second of the game.
We were still controlling the possession but with about 25 minutes to go we let the home side score with their second chance of the game after a free kick was swung in and the home midfielder got to the ball before Simon Mitchell and his flicked header found its way into the far corner.
The home side then create a couple more half chances but then we went back ahead with 4 minutes left when Kyle Munro, scored his first goal for the Club when he struck a 25 yard low curling free kick into the corner of the net.
We should’ve managed the game better but we let the home side equalise again this time from a corner which was swung into the box and another flicked header ended in the net.
The drama was not finished yet. With 92 minutes on the clock Lewis Robertson fired in a low free kick from the right which was flicked in by Calum Reid who had made a great run to the front post area.
We held out this time to deservedly come back down the road with the 3 points although we should’ve not had to leave it so late but great character shown by the squad to battle their way to the win.
As well as the 3 points it was great to see our team captain Euan Dryburgh return to action after a lengthy injury lay-off after breaking his leg in the first preseason game.
FT 3-4
NUFC Team – Mitchell, Robertson, B Dryburgh, Young, Reynolds, Munro, Reid, Mewse, Wood, Cormack, Collins
Subs – E Dryburgh, Whyte, Morrison, Baxter
We caught up with the gaffer after the game to get his thoughts…
What a game for the neutral. Obviously today was about getting the points with the squad depth being stretched to it’s limits. I thought we played some good stuff, created some good chances and scored 4 good goals. Disappointing to concede the 3 we did but great character to win the game with about 2 minutes to go.
Some great individual performances with Caly Reid covering every inch of the pitch. Young Sol was fantastic and great for Ryan to get 2 goals under his belt. As good as the 3 points, seeing the skipper back on the pitch for a half hour was pleasing. He’s deserved it with the year he’s had. First his shoulder then the leg break. Hopefully that’s him back and nothing else hampers him.