Ellon Thistle v Mintlaw

Division Two North

Thistle finally got their season underway at the fourth time of asking on Monday night at The Meadows. The visitors were league leaders Mintlaw who had already racked up nine points from three games and they maintained their 100% record by recovering from two goals down to win 3-2.

The Jags led at the interval through a Keith Reid brace but still never looked in control of the game. Reid opened the scoring with the aid of a deflection before adding his second soon after to give the home side a two goal advantage. Earlier, Mintlaw had a claims for a penalty on more than one occasion but these were ignored by the referee and Thistle keeper Daniel Adamson preserved Thistle's lead with a fine save.

After the interval, Jamie McNeil thought he had put the game beyond reach when he tapped in a pass from Reid that the Mintlaw goalkeeper De Gea'd. However, McNeil was ruled to have strayed offside and the goal was ruled out. A third goal for Ellon would surely have sealed the three points but instead it was the visitors who were rewarded for their persistence. Within minutes of closing the deficit to 2-1, Mintlaw grabbed an equaliser and looked the most likely to go on and win the game.

The away side again capitalised on poor Ellon defending to put themselves in front for the first time in the match and despite Billy Dailly's best efforts when he struck the inside of the post in the dying minutes, Mintlaw held on to record their fourth win in as many games.

Final Score: Ellon Thistle 2 Mintlaw 3

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

Man of the Match: Keith Reid