Cammachmore v Ellon Thistle

Division Two East

Ellon Thistle were forced to make changes to the side that were defeated by league leaders Glendale last week as both Bruce Alexander and Martyn Duncan were suspended. Neil Murray took the vacant slot in the midfield and Ryan Birnie dropped back to sweeper and keep reigns on returning centre half Graeme Giles.

In stark contrast to conditions last week, the playing surface at Newtonhill quickly turned into a quagmire as the match progressed. Nevertheless, this did not prevent Thistle taking an early lead. Deep in his own half, Mark Cockburn turned on a sixpence and released Michael Wild wide on the right. The frontman had time to pick out Billy DAILLY at the far post who had the simplest of tasks to put the visitors one up.

Michael Wild came close to doubling the advantage but was denied by the woodwork on two occasions. Having seen a close range volley rebound off the post, the striker picked up the ball wide on the left, made a fool of two Cammachmore defenders before unleashing a dipping right foot strike which crashed off the crossbar.

Thistle’s attacking duo of Billy Dailly and Michael Wild were clearly enjoying themselves as they continued to carve open the hosts defence and the two combined well for the second goal. Dailly played in his strike partner and darted towards goal. Wild picked out the return pass and DAILLY tapped in from a few yards out.

Despite Thistle’s dominance, Cammachmore clawed themselves back into the game as an unfortunate slip by Stephen Cruickshanks presented an opportunity for their striker and he made no mistake from the edge of the box. However, just before the interval, Thistle restored their two goal advantage when a beautifully flighted free-kick from Cockburn was struck on the volley by Michael WILD and the ball nestled in the bottom corner of the Cammachmore net.

Half-Time: Cammachmore 1 Ellon Thistle 3

A fourth Ellon goal would have killed the game off, but Thistle were sluggish at the restart and paid the price as the home side reduced the deficit. However, Thistle sprung back to life when Billy Dailly’s pinpoint cross was met clean in the face by Cammy DAVIDSON. The ball hit the target and re-established a two-goal cushion.

Michael Wild appeared to put the game beyond doubt when he found himself through one-on-one with the Cammachmore goalkeeper who had been quickly off his line throughout the game to offer his opinion at any debatable decisions. However, on this occasion, he appeared to be wearing lead boots as WILD skipped by him and coolly finished into an empty net.

With just ten minutes to go, there was surely no way back for Cammachmore. But credit to the home side as they continued to pressurise the Thistle defence and were duly rewarded after a corner from the right caused all sorts of problems in the penalty area and was forced home to make it 5-3.

Cammachmore were immediately on the attack after the restart and a cross from the left bounced awkwardly and found its way into the Thistle goal. Goalkeeper Dickinson appeared to be obstructed by an attacker but the goal stood. Cammachmore sensed panic in the Thistle ranks and went in search of an unlikely equaliser. Amazingly, the home side found success from another corner. This time, their balding centre-half was first to a dangerous inswinging cross and bundled the ball past Dickinson.

With just seconds remaining, the game was destined to finish all-square. However, a brutal two-footed lunge from a Cammachmore defender was penalised with a red card and from the resultant free-kick Michael WILD found space on the edge of the box. The striker heroically completed his hat-trick as he cut inside from the left and drilled a low shot past the Cammachmore goalkeeper amid jubilant scenes on the visitor’s touchline.

Final Score: Cammachmore 5 Ellon Thistle 6

Ellon Thistle: A Dickinson, N Henderson, S Cruickshanks, G Giles, R Birnie, N Murray (N Mitchell), D Anderson, M Cockburn, C Davidson, M Wild, B Dailly. Subs Not Used: I Bailey, S Beaton, R Longmuir, N Birnie.