Ellon Thistle v Hazlehead United

Division Two East

Ellon Thistle hosted their first midweek league fixture of the campaign when they faced Hazlehead United on Wednesday night. The two sides were level on points before kick off although the Aberdeen side had four games in hand on their opponents. Graeme Giles and Michael Wild both missed the game through suspension, while Bruce Alexander returned from injury to take his place on the substitutes bench.

The first half was a very tight affair with little to choose between the two teams. Hazlehead looked comfortable in possession and used the ball well and were allowed time to toss a number of high balls into the Thistle penalty area. However, it was the home side who should have went in front. Some good work down the right from Billy Dailly created space for him to cut back to Steven Beaton who clipped a right foot effort across the face of goal only to rebound off the inside of the post. David Anderson had Thistle's only other real opportunity but he failed to get hold of his shot and it bobbled wide.

Half-Time: Ellon Thistle 0 Hazlehead United 0

With the game goalless and with nothing short of a victory required by Thistle, manager Kevin Kennedy set out his side for the second half in a more attacking 4-3-3 formation in an attempt to take the three points. However, the changes seemed to backfire as within two minutes of the restart the visitors took advantage of some sloppy defending to go a goal in front. Before Thistle had time to regroup, they were chasing a two goal deficit. There was a suspicion of offside about the second goal but the Hazlehead attacker coolly rounded Dickinson before finding the unguarded net.

Attempts on the visitors goal became few and far between and a rare foray into the Hazlehead half soon petered out and the away side put the game beyond doubt with a third goal on the break midway through the second half. Despite looking unlikely to score from open play, Thistle were granted the opportunity from the spot after Martyn Duncan needed little persuasion to tumble inside the area. Recognised penalty taker Bruce Alexander stepped up only to see his effort ricochet off the crossbar. ALEXANDER was spared the embarrassment when referee Bob Cawthorne demanded the spot kick be retaken due to the Hazlehead defence encroaching before the ball had been kicked. There was no mistake second time round but Thistle still had a lot to do to turn the game around. Further attacking changes left Thistle exposed as they chased the game and resulted in the visitors restoring their three goal advantage and closing out the game comfortable 4-1 victors.

Final Score: Ellon Thistle 1 Hazlehead United 4

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