Ellon Thistle v Mearns United

Division One North

For the second time in four days, Ellon Thistle conceded five goals on their own patch as they slumped to a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Mearns United on Saturday. Defensive mishaps effectively ended any hopes of the home side taking anything from this game despite benefitting from a comedy equaliser that saw the Dubious Goals Panel involved for the first time this season.

Daniel Adamson returned in goal for Thistle and their were places in the starting eleven for Stephen Cruickshanks and Michael Wild. Euan Ramage returned from injury and Andy MacLean took up a more familiar role barking orders from the sidelines having featured at centre half in the midweek defeat to Rattrays XI.

Full back Ben Drummond was the first to threaten the visitor's goal but his left-footed strike went harmlessly wide before Joe Roger, looking for his third goal in as many games, brilliantly controlled a Martyn Galley cross but blazed his volley high over the bar. At the other end, Euan Ramage surrendered possession on the edge of the Ellon penalty area but United could not take advantage and the score line remained goalless until a free kick was awarded to the visitors wide on the left. The Jags failed to deal with the ball into the box and Mearns opened the scoring with a close range finish.

To Ellon's credit, they did not let their heads go down and levelled soon after. The Mearns goalkeeper flapped at Martyn Duncan's looping free kick and between the goalkeeper, a Mearns defender and Ellon's Martyn Galley they managed to somehow bundle the ball into the net. After much deliberation, GALLEY was credited with the goal and a two pounds goal bonus in his weekly pocket money.

Ellon might have had an opportunity to go in front from the spot but the referee was not interested in Stephen Cruickshanks claims that he had been fouled in the 18 yard box. Substitute Michael Gibson politely questioned the referee's decision but the man in charge was in no mood for any discussion. Thistle's frustration was intensified when the visitors regained the lead just seconds later when a Mearns forward capitalised on Ben Drummond's hesitancy to smash past Adamson.

United's pace in the wide areas caused Thistle problems but the home side's Martyn Galley had similar success down the left and it was from his cross that a Mikey Wild effort went narrowly wide. The Mearns number 2 was having a torrid time containing youngster Galley and was booked for a rash tackle before half time.

The visitors had struck a post before a route one ball over the top caught out the Thistle back line but the ball was poked wide past the advancing Adamson's goal. However, Mearns were not to be denied a third goal as they increased their lead from a free kick in a similar position to where they opened the scoring. This time the ball was headed into the net to make it 3-1.

Half Time: Ellon Thistle 1 Mearns United 3

Bruce Alexander was introduced at the interval as Thistle reverted to a back three for the second half but they were immediately under pressure and Adamson was called into action to turn a shot on goal round his left hand post. From the resultant corner, Mearns added their fourth goal of the game as an unmarked attacker tapped in from a few yards.

Darren Bailey and Michael Gibson were introduced from the bench but it was too late for them to have any bearing on the final outcome of this match. Instead, the visitors continued to create chances and looked more likely to increase their lead. Ellon's frustration became evident when Graeme Giles pursued his man, intent on GBH, before lunging recklessly and conceding a free kick. The big man was lucky not be punished with a card by the referee. Dave Watson was less fortunate after he had two or three clips at his opponents heels before he came to ground and the Ellon defender received a yellow card for his trouble.

The home sides misery was completed when Mearns United's number 7 added their fifth goal of the afternoon as Thistle tried unsuccessfully to operate an offside trap from within their own six yard box. Thistle substitute Michael GIBSON grabbed a late consolation after Martyn Duncan helped on a throw in from the left into the path of Gibson who made no mistake from a few yards out.

Striker Michael Wild picked up a booking in the last minute of the match, a card that had been inevitable for the previous 89 minutes, for a tackle from behind. Graeme Giles also eventually found his name in the referee's book for a late challenge but had he not escaped punishment earlier in the half, he could well have seen red.

Final Score: Ellon Thistle 2 Mearns United 5

Ellon Thistle: Adamson, M. Duncan, Drummond (Alexander), Giles, Watson, C. Duncan (Bailey), Stephen Cruickshanks, Ramage (Gibson), Galley, Roger, Wild. Subs not used: MacLean.

Man of the Match: