Ellon Thistle v Cammachmore

Division 2 East

Somebody call the police, there's been a robbery!

It was second versus third as Ellon Thistle returned to league duty after back to back cup defeats. Cammy Davidson's eighth goal of the season rescued a point for Thistle in a match they should have had wrapped up by the interval.

Early preparations for the match were disrupted when Michael Wild's 'illness' ruled him out of the starting eleven. This allowed goalscorer Davidson to start in the midfield, with Steven Beaton pushing up to the frontline.

Thistle's early pressure resulted in opportunities for Dailly, Birnie and Murray, before a rare right-footed pass from Beaton put Martyn Duncan through on goal. Left with a decision to shoot from ten yards or square a pass to the on-rushing Davidson, Duncan opted for the latter and watched the ball trickle out for a goal-kick.

Billy Dailly caused the opposition problems throughout the game with his pace and trickery but often the final ball or effort on goal failed to trouble the Cammachmore centre-half who had donned the gloves for the game.

Half-Time: Ellon Thistle 0 Cammachmore 0

In the second period, Thistle were even more dominant as the visitors were happy to settle for a point. With each goalkick, the Cammachmore goalkeeper would become even more precise with his placement of the ball frustrating the home side as the minutes ticked by.

Some neat work down the left created a chance for Neil Murray to get his name on the scoresheet but he slid as he directed the ball towards goal and failed to alter the scoreline. Ryan Birnie then tried to catch the keeper off guard with a quick free-kick but found the side netting.

With the match still goalless and countless opportunities being spurned, it was decided to take the risk of introducing the partially fit Michael Wild to the action. Almost immediately Thistle's top scorer made an impact, glancing a header off the Cammachmore crossbar.

With just 15 minutes remaining, Cammachmore managed a rare foray into the opposition half and after mix up between Cockburn and goalkeeper Dickinson, who had been a spectator for the duration of the second half, the ball found its way into the back of the Thistle net.

With the prospect of losing all three points looming, Thistle showed great character in battling back for a draw when another assault on the visitors goal saw the ball break to DAVIDSON on the edge of the box. He showed great composure to slam the ball home for his 6th goal in as many games.

An indirect freekick inside the Cammachmore penalty area offered Thistle the chance to take all three points. However, Billy Dailly's effort appeared to be 'saved' on the line by an ungloved hand but claims for a penalty were ignored by referee A Dick.

The referee was centre of attention again in the last minute as Martyn Duncan's tackle was deemed high and dangerous by the official and the midfielder saw red. Ten man Thistle were unable to grab a winner and the points were shared in a very one-sided contest.

Final Score: Ellon Thistle 1 Cammachmore 1

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