Ellon Thistle v Kincorth

AFC Trophy 1st Round

Ellon Thistle were handed a tough assignment in the AFC Trophy with the draw pairing them with current Premier Division champions Kincorth in the first round. However, The Jags rose to the challenge and a combination of a determined team performance, good fortune and some woeful finishing from the visitors resulted in a major upset at The Meadows.

The injury ravaged Ellon side were unfancied to progress with regular starters Martin Rennie and Billy Dailly ruled out early before Keith Reid and Mark Cockburn failed the famous pre-match fitness test. Cammy Davidson returned to the starting eleven along with London looter* Mark Kennedy.

Unsurprisingly, Kincorth dominated possession but they failed to break down a resolute Thistle defence. At times, the Premier Division side played one pass too many in and around the Thistle 18 yard box as they seemed intent on walking the ball into the net in the first half. Ellon's chances were few and far between but they did pose a threat down both flanks with the pace of Jamie McNeil and Mark Kennedy causing the visitors problems.

The second half continued in much the same vein with Kincorth frustrated in their attempts to open the scoring. Daniel Adamson in the Thistle goal was rescued by the woodwork when he fumbled a corner but this was a rare handling error in an otherwise flawless performance in tricky wet conditions. Kincorth then squandered the best chance of the game when one of their forwards blazed over from close range when it appeared easier to score.

Thistle themselves began to create opportunities as the half wore on with Kennedy hitting the side netting after beating his marker and Beaton had a sight of goal from long range but his reluctance to shoot meant the chance was lost.

The introduction of Ben Drummond in the second half injected some pace into The Jags attack with the somewhat less mobile Beaton dropping into a deeper midfield role vacated by the substituted Davidson. Drummond was immediately involved in setting up Mark Kennedy to score what would prove to be the only goal of the game. Kennedy got in behind the Kincorth left back once more and fired an unstoppable effort into the far corner of the net.

With under ten minutes remaining, the visitors resorted to launching long balls into the Thistle penalty area in order to grab a dramatic equaliser but more often than not the slick surface would carry the ball out of play for a goal kick. The home side averted any further threats and held on for a famous victory.

Final Score: Ellon Thistle 1 Kincorth 0

Ellon Thistle: Adamson, Gillan, Anderson, Henderson, Alexander, Stephen Cruickshanks, C. Duncan, Kennedy, McNeil, Davidson (Drummond), Beaton. Subs not used: Rennie, Reid, Cockburn.

Man of the Match: Neale Henderson

* Claims are unproven and Kennedy vehemently denies any involvement - Make your own mind up here

Picture: Steven Beaton in action against Kincorth - Photograph by Ted Bartlett