Ellon Thistle v Torry United

Division One North

Ellon came into this match trying to make amends for their sloppy start to the season in the previous match with Stonehaven and it wasn’t long before they carved out their first effort when Martyn Duncan fired waywardly over from twenty yards. It was an early signal of the Jags intent.

Some of the Jags play was brilliant to watch, a lot of this was down to the pitch being in first rate condition. A lot of credit should be given to the Meadows grounds man whose work during the summer has been top notch. The flat pitch was suited to Ellon’s passing game with the hosts dominating in the possession stakes.

A well deserved lead was taken when BRYSON slotted the ball into the Torry net. Neil Henderson did well to win the ball in the air not once but twice with Kennedy on hand to pick up the scraps, the winger then miscued a ball into Bryson’s path who coolly stroked the ball home with aplomb. It was the Ellon new boy’s first competitive goal for the club.

The home side had keeper Adamson to thank when almost straight from kick off the Ellon defence was caught flat footed leaving the Torry striker a free effort which Adamson did well to save. This made Ellon push on for a second. It was only a matter of time before they scored again with the Torry defences’ lack of pace being exposed on numerous occasions especially by Billy Dailly on the left hand side. And the defence can count themselves lucky when Ironside was adjudged to be offside when he was blatantly onside.

Thistle’s second did come though and it was that man BRYSON again. The midfield man won the ball on the halfway line and drove straight at goal to once again coolly slot the ball past the exposed Torry keeper. Mark Cockburn was disappointed to not find himself on the score sheet when after some jinky play from Kennedy, Cockburn spooned the ball passed the post. Next up to rue a bad miss was Kennedy who really should have hit the target but fired past the post from fifteen yards. But he made up for the miss and fired Ellon into what everyone thought was an unassailable lead (but remember this is Ellon Thistle). Dailly once again took the right back to the cleaners and put in a cross which Ironside completely missed and left KENNEDY with a tap in.

As the age old saying goes “the worst time to concede is when you have just scored” and Thistle did exactly that when the Aberdeen man hit a speculative effort from thirty five yards which thumped Adamson’s post with the rebound leaving the oncoming striker to side foot in from close range.

Half Time: Ellon Thistle 3 Torry United 1

Ellon came out trying to regain their three goal cushion and should have when a pinpoint Dailly cross found the head of Ironside who should have at least have hit the target but put it wide. Another chance goes a begging. Then guess what? Another chance went begging and Kennedy was the culprit again, he decided to take a shot on early but ended up tamely hitting it towards goal.

Let the capitulation start here. Torry grabbed a second on the fifty five minute mark, this starting internal bickering and criticisms flying about the park. This also spelled the end of the game for a few Jags who completely fell out of the game. Torry obviously got some fire in their bellies and hunted for the equaliser and looked dangerous every time they attacked leaving the Jags sideline wincing every time the ball was in their half.

Ellon’s inability to take chances was to be their downfall with Dailly hitting over and Kennedy tickling the ball toward the Torry goal when clean through. Laces through it was definitely the option.

Fresh blood was brought on with Ironside and Cockburn leaving the field and Longmuir and Callum Duncan entering the fray. Martyn Duncan was the next Jags to miss a good chance when he fire wide from 10 yards and right away he found himself with only the keeper to beat but credit where credits due, the keeper pulled off a tremendous save to deny the captain.

Ellon’s play turned sour with players trying world cup passes and world cup finishes, and everybody could see a Torry equaliser coming with Ellon’s formation being changed leaving holes everywhere. A shambles some might say.

Then an ugly moment on the sideline. Torry gained a throw in, the defender who was set to take it appeared to push and kick out at Jags number two Arthur “Herbie Hide” Killicoat who retaliated with a body blow to the defender who went down like Rangers cheat Kyle Lavatory. Word of advice min, wise up, you’re a big loon, you just looked daft. Killicoat received his marching orders for the incident.

Then if it couldn’t get any worse the equaliser came in the last minute. In this reporters eyes it was completely deserved after this horror show second half and they can only blame themselves. To give away a three goal advantage at home is not good enough. But to give away three goals to a team that will probably not score three in a league game again this season is appalling!

Final Score: Ellon Thistle 3 Torry United 3

Ellon Thistle: D. Adamson, B. Alexander, D. Anderson, N. Henderson, S. Bryson, S. Cruickshanks, M. Kennedy (S. Beaton), M. Cockburn (C. Duncan), M. Duncan, P. Ironside (R. Longmuir), B. Dailly. Subs not used: G. Giles, R. Birnie.

Man of the Match: Not Awarded