Ellon Thistle v Bucksburn United

Division One North

Ellon Thistle hosted Bucksburn United in a Division One North fixture on Saturday looking to record their fourth consecutive victory with the possibility of climbing to third in the table. David Anderson was ruled out of the squad with a foot injury picked up in training so his left-back role was filled by returning skipper Martyn Duncan. This was the only change to the eleven that defeated University Colts last weekend.

There was little between the two sides during the opening spell of the match but it was the visitors who fortuitously went in front when a cross into the box evaded everyone and found its way into the back of the Ellon net. This was a major setback for the home side who have struggled to pick up points this season after falling behind. However, they were not short of opportunities to draw level as Steven Beaton had a shot blocked by the Bucksburn goalkeeper's legs before Mark Cockburn had a header palmed to safety.

Despite the best opportunities falling to the home side, Bucksburn were awarded the chance to double their advantage from the spot. A cross from the left caused a stramash in the Ellon penalty area before Martyn Duncan and Martin Rennie combined to bring down a Bucksburn attacker and without hesitation, the referee pointed to the spot. A fantastic save from Daniel Adamson prevented United extending their lead as he dived low to his right to block the spot-kick.

Having gained an obvious lift from Adamson's heroics, Thistle pressed for an equaliser as they attempted to shake off their early lethargy and were rewarded when Billy DAILLY latched on to a Hollywood pass from Beaton to fire low into the bottom corner. The hosts were on level terms for a matter of seconds before Bucksburn regained the lead, again with an element of luck. Ellon were exposed down the right and a cut back to the edge of the box was struck towards goal by an on-rushing midfielder. With the aid of a mighty deflection off the unfortunate Bruce Alexander, the ball was diverted beyond Adamson in the Thistle goal. After a meeting of the dubious goals committee, the goal will go down as a Bruce Alexander own goal.

Chasing a one goal deficit once more, Ryan Birnie volleyed towards goal only to find the Bucksburn goalkeeper was the barrier yet again as he produced a wonder save to thwart the Ellon midfielder.

Half Time: Ellon Thistle 1 Bucksburn United 2

When the two sides returned after the interval, Thistle were eager to find an early goal in order to equalise and potentially go on to win the fixture. However, as Bucksburn soaked up the pressure, they extended their lead with a swift counter-attack as a long cross field ball caught out the Ellon back line. There was no fortune about this goal as the Bucksburn forward guided the ball beyond Adamson to make it 3-1.

The game was far from over as the visitors camped themselves in their own half content with their two goal advantage allowing Thistle to launch a string of assaults on the Bucksburn goal. After wasting a succession of presentable opportunities, the home side reduced the deficit once more when Mark KENNEDY produced a goal out of nothing to make it 3-2.

David McKeitch, Paul Ironside and Andy MacLean were all introduced from the bench in an attempt to find the lethal spearhead in attack that would produce an equalising goal. Billy Dailly almost notched his fifth goal in three games but his effort struck the outside of the post in the closing stages.

Thistle were unable to capitalise on their supremacy and missed out on a valuable three points.

Final Score: Ellon Thistle 2 Bucksburn United 3

Ellon Thistle: Adamson, Henderson, M. Duncan, Alexander, Rennie, C. Duncan (Ironside), Cockburn (MacLean), Dailly, Beaton (McKeitch), Kennedy, Birnie. Subs not used: Murray.

Man of the Match: Ryan Birnie