Ellon Thistle v Don Athletic

Division 2 East

Ellon Thistle recorded a comfortable victory over Don Athletic at the Meadows on Saturday. Despite falling behind early, goals from Ryan Birnie, Michael Wild and a double from Billy Dailly secured the three points for the home side.

With a number of fixtures postponed due to the bad weather, Thistle had the opportunity to close the gap on the leaders and even claim second place in the table. However, before Ellon could ask any questions of the visiting goalkeeper, Don Athletic had the ball in the back of the net when their tricky number eight got in behind Anderson and beat Dickinson at his near post with a fine strike.

Ellon were dominating possession but were unable to create any serious threat in the opposition penalty area. The best chances created by the home side were coming from Ryan Birnie's free-kicks and his most accurate delivery resulted in a Michael Wild effort rebounding off the post. Eventually, some slack passing by the away side was punished when Billy DAILLY picked up a loose ball and drove at goal. The striker was given the time and space to fire a spectacular shot into the top corner and level the scores.

Dailly soon had an opportunity to double his tally when he found himself through on goal with just the keeper to beat. However, a powerful strike was matched by a stunning save as the Don goalkeeper turned the ball behind for a corner. Thistle had a penalty claim turned down before the break when Steven Beaton was impeded after beating a defender to the ball. No penalty and the sides went in level at half-time.

Half-Time: Ellon Thistle 1 Don Athletic 1

It was one-way traffic in the second half as Thistle looked for the victory. Michael Wild and Martyn Duncan both went close with chances but it was the skipper who put the home side in front. Ryan BIRNIE met a Cockburn corner with a glancing header at the near post to make it 2-1.

Thistle continued to pressurise the Don defence and were finding most success down the right with Dailly, Cockburn and Duncan causing problems throughout the second half. A rare break by the visitors saw their striker with an opening and the chance to test Dickinson. Thistle's number one was quick off his line and denied the striker with his legs.

A let off for Ellon, but this spurred them on to increase their lead and Billy Dailly pounced on a defensive mix up as indecision between goalkeeper and full-back allowed DAILLY to roll the ball into an empty net and give Thistle a two-goal cushion.

Another great cross from the right was almost headed home by Davidson but somehow he missed the target from close range. Ryan Birnie tested the Don goalkeeper with one of the few Thistle efforts from distance that were on target but the ball was gathered comfortably.

Michael WILD had worked tirelessly throughout the ninety minutes and his persistence finally paid off as he wrapped up the victory with his 17th goal of the season. A hopeful long ball from Beaton fell to his feet wide on the left and he cruised passed his marker before firing a shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Final Score: Ellon Thistle 4 Don Athletic 1

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