Don Athletic v Ellon Thistle

North of Scotland Cup 3rd Round

Thistle kicked off 2012 with a comfortable 4-1 victory at Don Athletic in the North of Scotland Cup on Saturday thanks to a brace from Keith Reid and further goals from Matthew Cowie and Billy Dailly. Daniel Adamson in the Thistle goal was rarely troubled and was unlucky not to keep out a first half spot kick from the home side after a debatable hand ball in the penalty area.

Despite a five week period without a game due to adverse weather conditions and the festive break, the away side started prominently and opened the scoring through Matthew Cowie before Keith Reid doubled their advantage after good work on the left from David McKeitch.

Don Athletic were handed the opportunity to get themselves back into the game from the penalty spot when Bruce Alexander was adjudged to have handled inside the 18-yard box. Adamson got a hand to the kick but could not divert it away from the corner of the net.

After the interval, Thistle defended the 'short half' of the disproportionate Bridge of Don pitch and soon restored their two goal advantage when Keith Reid broke away from the Don defence and confidently stroked the ball beyond the goalkeeper. Injury meant this was Reid's final involvement and he was replaced by Steven Beaton.

Thistle had further chances to extend their lead but both Billy Dailly and Greg Gillan fluffed their efforts with just the goalkeeper to beat. It is worth mentioning that Dailly's effort was particularly horrendous. The Thistle midfielder made amends by chasing a lost cause into the corner and forcing an error from the Don Athletic goalkeeper before chipping into an empty net.

The visitors were worthy winners and take their place in the fourth round but possibly should have added to their four goal haul.

Final Score: Don Athletic 1 Ellon Thistle 4

Ellon Thistle: Adamson, Gillan, Anderson, Alexander, C. Duncan, Stephen Cruickshanks, Cockburn (Henderson), Dailly, Reid (Beaton), Cowie (Drummond), McKeitch. Subs not used: Simon Cruickshanks, Rennie.

Man of the Match: Mark Cockburn