Ellon Thistle v Luthermuir

Division Two East

Ellon Thistle played their first home fixture of September against promotion rivals Luthermuir on Saturday where they were looking to extend a six match unbeaten sequence.

Bruce Alexander’s unavailability paved the way for Stephen Cruickshanks to return to the starting line-up and he filled in at left-back. This was the only change in personnel from the previous game at FC Polska although a number of players were assigned different positional roles.

From the kick-off, the Luthermuir goalkeeper was under pressure. A back pass from his own team mate bobbled unkindly and the keeper hurriedly sclaffed a clearance that no Thistle player could take advantage of. Luthermuir’s last line of defence never looked comfortable and often gave the impression he was trying to catch a fish with rubber gloves for the majority of the ninety minutes.

The Jag’s suffered a massive blow when full-back Neil Henderson hobbled off with what appeared to be a serious knee injury after a challenge on the visitor’s touchline. Henderson is not one to go down easily and their was obvious distress on the Thistle bench when he failed to get back to his feet. Substitute Michael Gibson was granted an early introduction to the fray as Henderson’s replacement.

Ellon had chances to open the scoring as Duncan McGill squandered a guilt edged opportunity to put the home side in front before Paul Ironside made sure Thistle went in at half-time with a one goal advantage. A long ball was flicked on by a Luthermuir defender that IRONSIDE latched onto and coolly lofted over the advancing keeper.

Half-Time: Ellon Thistle 1 Luthermuir 0

In the second half, Ellon continued to dominate and midfield linchpin Stuart BATTY deservedly extended Thistle’s lead. However, Luthermuir hit back within minutes to narrow the deficit with their first strike on target.

An Ellon goal appeared more likely than a Luthermuir equaliser and BATTY duly delivered when he beat the goalkeeper at his near post to add his second and Ellon’s third. But still the three points could not be assured as another lapse in the Thistle rearguard offered the visitor’s a lifeline and the lead was again reduced to one goal.

Batty turned provider when his cross fell at the feet of Michael Gibson at the back post but the substitute failed to connect.

With the game hanging in the balance, Thistle’s top scorer Michael WILD stepped up to secure the three points when he fired in a low drive to make it 4-2 before a goalkeeping error presented the striker with a chance to add his second and he thundered the ball off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

This crucial win propelled Thistle into second place in the Division Two table and they go into next weeks Scottish Cup tie at Theologians brimming with confidence.

Final Score: Ellon Thistle 5 Luthermuir 2

Ellon Thistle: D Adamson, S Cruickshanks, R Birnie, A Kerr, N Henderson (M Gibson), D Anderson, C Duncan, S Batty, D McGill, M Wild, P Ironside. Subs Not Used: S Beaton, R Longmuir, K Duncan, A MacLean