FC Polska v Ellon Thistle

Division Two North

Late call-offs left Thistle with just twelve players available for selection for the game against FC Polska at Aulton on Saturday. In the absence of Billy Dailly and Keith Reid, Martin Rennie returned to the starting line-up and Neale Henderson occupied an unfamiliar role wide on the left of midfield.

The home side propped up Division Two North with seven points from 13 games before kick off but have proved tricky opponents for The Jags in the past. It was important Thistle began well and having controlled the early stages, they broke the deadlock when Mark Cockburn curled a free-kick into the top corner. Soon after, David McKeitch had the opportunity to emulate Cockburn from a set piece 20 yards out but he blasted high and wide to sum up a forty five minutes he would rather forget.

David Anderson, an unlikely threat from a corner, got his head to an inch perfect Cockburn delivery but could not direct his effort on target. At the other end, Daniel Adamson was rarely threatened in the first period and Thistle deservedly led 1-0 at the interval.

In the second half, improved performances from McKeitch, Cowie and Anderson sealed the points for the visitors. The three combined with the latter crossing for Cowie to head home his seventh goal in 11 starts.

Polska's Bladowski, a local lad, brought a continental approach to the game as he writhed in agony after minimal contact on countless ocassions. Meanwhile, the home sides skipper Motyl, took exception to Cockburn's persistence to regain possession and promptly reached for his handbag in an off the ball altercation in the middle of the park. A rare flashpoint in a fairly contested encounter.

A well worked move again involving Anderson and McKeitch resulted in the latter firing home to complete the scoring. Anderson himself had a chance to get on the scoresheet but could not find the net before McKeitch almost added his second but was denied by a defender on the goal line.

Final Score: FC Polska 0 Ellon Thistle 3

Ellon Thistle: Adamson, Gillan, Anderson, Alexander, Rennie (Simon Cruickshanks), Stephen Cruickshanks, Cockburn, C. Duncan, Cowie, McKeitch, Henderson. Subs not used: .

Man of the Match: Mark Cockburn