Ellon Thistle v Monymusk

Dickie Trophy Quarter Final

A brace from midfielder Martyn Duncan followed by Michael Wild's 29th goal of the season booked Ellon Thistle's place amongst the semi-finalists of the Dickie Trophy. Monymusk failed to build on an equalising goal on the stroke of half time and the home side progressed to face either Tarves or Turriff Thistle.

Having overcome a recent blip in form, Thistle were looking to record their third straight victory against Monymusk who lie mid-table in Division Two North. Bruce Alexander dropped back to sweeper to keep the reigns on Thistle's defensive behemoth Graeme Giles, who accompanied David Anderson at centre-half. Ryan Birnie, Stephen Cruickshanks and Neil Murray returned to midfield berths as Mark Cockburn dropped out through injury.

Monymusk had the best early chance after Giles and Henderson were beaten, but the shot was pulled wide. However, it was Thistle who opened the scoring when Neil Henderson chased a lost cause down the right before muscling his opponent off the ball and creating an opportunity for Martyn DUNCAN to score from 12 yards. Henderson was again causing problems in the opposition penalty area and perhaps should have been awarded a penalty after his marker clumsily hauled him to the ground. Long throw-ins from Graeme Giles were causing the visitors problems and Ryan Birnie almost capitalised but he was denied by a fine save.

At the other end, Thistle were slow to react to a quickly taken throw-in and Monymusk snatched an equaliser at the end of the first half.

Half-Time: Ellon Thistle 1 Monymusk 1

Although the tie was evenly poised at the interval, the next goal was all important as even with Cruickshanks and Duncan in the side, Thistle were unlikely to come from behind.

Bruce Alexander picked up a yellow card after he was 'done' by a Monymusk attacker but the towering defender made every attempt to swap shirts and had his name taken by the referee.

Martyn DUNCAN grabbed his second of the game when he headed home to restore the home side's advantage. Minutes later, Monymusk almost levelled the tie for a second time but were thwarted by Andy 'Gordon Banks' Dickinson in the Thistle goal when he repelled a goal-bound header from close range.

Thistle all but sealed the win and their place in the semi-finals when Michael WILD chased a long clearance in behind the Monymusk defence and nodded past the onrushing goalkeeper whilst taking a nasty knock in the process. Wild was unable to continue which allowed Steven Beaton to make a cameo appearance at the end of the game.

An impressive second half performance, in particular from Stephen Cruickshanks who shackled Monymusk's tubby midfield maestro Alan Findlater, saw Thistle shutout the visitors in the second half and claim a valuable victory to keep alive hopes of silverware this season.

Final Score: Ellon Thistle 3 Monymusk 1

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