Continental v Ellon Thistle

Division Two North

Thistle travelled to Aulton to face Continental with a depleted squad on Monday night. As many as eight players were unavailable due to injury, suspension or work commitments. The latest casualties were top scorer Keith Reid, centre half Martin Rennie and the influential Billy Dailly. This resulted in Simon Cruickshanks and Ben Drummond making rare appearances in the starting eleven and both contributed to battling Thistle performance. The Jags' thirteen 'fit' players included two goalkeepers and Dave 'Indian Red Lopez' Cherry, who replaced his guitar with borrowed boots and shinpads in order to provide much needed fresh legs towards the end of the game.

The home side also appeared to be struggling to muster a starting eleven as kick off was delayed but this may have been due to the referee completing his paper round. Thistle started brightly as they have done in each of their previous three games and deservedly took the lead when Steven Beaton controlled a David Anderson cross before placing beyond the advancing Continental goalkeeper.

Despite appearing to be in control, Thistle surrendered their advantage when they failed to clear from a corner and a fierce drive was diverted beyond Adamson by the hapless Anderson. However, the visitors received a timely boost just before the interval when they were awarded a penalty. A Continental defender, nae Carlos Puyol, but another one was adjudged to have handled inside the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Regular penalty taker Bruce Alexander resumed his duties and confidently dispatched from 12 yards.

In the second period, a major incident turned the game on its head. With Thistle leading 2-1, their makeshift eleven would soon become a makeshift ten. An under pressure Neale Henderson tested Adamson with a 25 yard back pass that the goalkeeper failed to control. A grateful Continental forward trundled the ball past Adamson, who clattered the poor lad for his trouble. The ball eventually found its way into the Thistle net but the referee had already blown for the infringement and awarded the penalty. To add to the visitors woes, Adamson was sent off but luckily they had a substitute goalkeeper in reserve. Ben Drummond drew the short straw and was replaced by Big Martin whose first task was to pick the ball out of the net.

Worse was to come for Ellon when they fell behind to a wonder strike. Big Martin had no chance as the ball curled into the top corner.

Neale Henderson made amends for his earlier mishap by finding the net and an unlikely equaliser for the ten men before Big Martin earned his bonus with a brilliant save at the death. A well earned point given the circumstances and if The Jags put up a fight against the odds like they did in this game against Continental, they'll have a good year.

Final Score: Continental 3 Ellon Thistle 3

Ellon Thistle: Adamson, Simon Cruickshanks (Cherry), Stephen Cruickshanks, Alexander, C. Duncan, Henderson, Gillan, Anderson, McNeil, Beaton, Drummond (Martin). Subs not used: Davidson, Cockburn.

Man of the Match: Steven Beaton