Ellon Thistle v Rattrays XI

Division One North

Thistle failed to continue their winning start when they were soundly beaten by an experienced Rattrays XI side at The Meadows. Despite going in front through Joe Roger, his second goal in as many games, The Jags failed to build on their advantage and went down by five goals to one.

Two changes were made to the starting eleven that beat Geldie at the weekend. Mark Cockburn started in place of the injured Euan Ramage and in an unexpected move, veteran forward Andy MacLean filled in at centre half in place of Owen Watt. Ellon were confident after their positive start to the campaign but faced a very different Rattrays XI to the side that shipped six goals at The Meadows less than two years ago.

It all started promisingly as Thistle took the lead in the 15th minute. Joe ROGER picked up the ball just inside the Rattrays half and drove at goal. The forward ignored the option to play in Mark Cockburn and his long range strike beat a motionless Rattrays goalkeeper to give Thistle the lead. Having questioned Roger's intent when he opened the scoring in the previous game, there was no doubt what was on the strikers mind on this occasion.

However, within a minute the visitors were level. Indecision in the Ellon defence allowed a Rattrays attacker time to round Jags keeper Milne and slot home. A swift attack down the left resulted in the away side going in front as their unmarked number ten fired home a cross from 18 yards. A third soon followed when makeshift centre half Andy MacLean was beaten to the ball and the Rattrays forward left Milne with no chance from close range.

Half Time: Ellon Thistle 1 Rattrays XI 3

Thistle manager Craig Sutherland made three substitutions at half time in order to try and get The Jags back in to the game. Stephen Cruickshanks, Michael Wild and The Gibbo replaced Ben Drummond, Joe Roger and Andy MacLean as Ellon went all out attack employing a front line of four. More chances were created during the early stages of the second half but Thistle failed to reduce the deficit. Instead, the visitors increased their lead after a cross from the left found an unmarked attacker at the back post and Thistle now had a mountain to climb.

Despite this latest blow, Thistle refused to lie down and substitute Michael Wild was inches away from getting his toe onto a Michael Gibson cross but later found himself unusually caught for pace by his marker as he bore down on goal. Wild was involved again when he took the ball past the Rattrays keeper only to be forced wide and see his cut back cleared by a covering defender.

Ellon's young stopper Lewis Milne was called into action as he blocked a goal bound effort after a Rattrays attacker made himself space on the edge of the box. But Milne could only watch as a free kick struck his left hand post but the danger was cleared at the expense of a corner. At the other end, Gibson and Wild combined again only for the latter to see his header plucked out the air by a grateful visiting goalkeeper.

However, Rattrays confirmed their superiority by adding a fifth. A free kick from inside their own half was flighted into the Ellon box and was flicked on by a Thistle defender into the path of a Rattrays forward who completed the victory with a simple finish.

After this heavy defeat, Thistle will have to pick themselves up quickly before they host Mearns United, another side who have started the season well, on Saturday at The Meadows.

Final Score: Ellon Thistle 1 Rattrays XI 5

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

Man of the Match: Graeme Giles