Ellon Thistle v Mugiemoss Youth

Division Two East

Ellon Thistle played their final home league fixture against Mugiemoss Youth on Saturday. The home side threw away a two goal lead but recovered to take all three points in an entertaining match at The Meadows. Neil Murray opened the scoring while Martyn Duncan continued his rich vein of form by bagging a brace.

The return of Billy Dailly, who missed the midweek win over Stoneywood, meant Steven Beaton had to settle for a place on the bench. Otherwise, the Thistle line-up remained unchanged.

Within seven minutes of the kick-off, the hosts had raced into a two goal lead. A determined Michael Wild shrugged off two challenges before crossing for Neil MURRAY who blasted a volley low past the Mugiemoss goalkeeper. Moments later Martyn Duncan doubled Ellon's advantage. Strike partners Billy Dailly and Michael Wild exchanged passes before the former picked out DUNCAN who smashed the ball on the volley into the net to add the gloss to a well worked Thistle attack.

At the other end, Mugiemoss had rarely threatened although a seemingly harmless shot from distance slipped through the hands of Thistle goalkeeper Andy Dickinson and out for a corner. A third Ellon goal would have killed the game off but instead the away side pulled a goal back before half-time when Neil Henderson handled inside the box. The Mugiemoss penalty taker made no mistake from the spot and brought his side back into the game.

Half-Time: Ellon Thistle 2 Mugiemoss Youth 1

Thistle looked nervy in the second period with a slender one goal advantage and they were punished in the early stages after the restart. Stephen Cruickshanks was turned on the edge of the box by a Mugiemoss midfielder who fired an unstoppable left foot drive beyond Dickinson in the Thistle goal.

However, the home side retook the lead when Michael WILD scored his 31st goal of the season. Again, Ellon could not retain their advantage and their offside trap was beaten. One-on-one with Dickinson, the Mugiemoss attacker slotted home to equalise for the second time.

Manager Kevin Kennedy made two changes to try and claim all three points. Midfielder Cammy 'Hair Bear' Davidson was introduced and he was joined by Steven Beaton who was given the unfamiliar task of filling in at left back. Beaton's defensive capabilities and turn of pace must have struck fear into the Mugiemoss midfield whippet that he'd come on to mark.

Thistle regained the lead when Martyn DUNCAN added his second of the game. He headed home a cross from the right to give Ellon a 4-3 advantage but the midfielder had to be replaced minutes later after colliding with two Mugiemoss defenders.

Duncan's replacement Mark Cockburn almost sealed the victory but his effort strayed wide. The away side were denied another equaliser when Andy Dickinson tipped over preventing an almost certain goal. As a result, Ellon continued their impressive current form by recording their fifth consecutive win.

Final Score: Ellon Thistle 4 Mugiemoss Youth 3

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