Glendale XI v Ellon Thistle

Division Two East

Ellon Thistle travelled to Sheddocksley to face league leaders Glendale XI although doubts were cast over the match going ahead as the pitch had taken the full force of the recent frosty weather. Despite the firm playing surface, the game went ahead and Thistle had the opportunity to top the Division Two table with a victory.

However, uncharacteristic defensive errors combined with the usual glut of missed opportunities resulted in Thistle's first defeat in four games. Ellon marginally shaded the first period with the best of the possession but were let down in the final third as a number of telling crosses from Cockburn on the right found dangerous areas but not a Thistle shirt.

Both sides struggled with the conditions in the first half, Thistle's Stephen Cruickshanks in particular found keeping his feet on the hard ground awkward as he protected the back line. The threat of substitution for the midfielder was enough to see him knuckle down and put in a battling performance.

The majority of the first half proved uneventful and many of the supporters on the sideline turned to the Royal Rumble style action on the opposite pitch for entertainment.

Martyn Duncan had an opportunity from distance to test the Glendale keeper, who had commanded his penalty area with a range of jungle noises, but the midfielder's effort crept agonisingly over the crossbar. At the other end, goalkeeper Dickinson, who was looking to keep consecutive clean sheets for the first time this season, thwarted two Glendale attacks. He was quick off his line on both occasions to force the striker wide and deny him an effort at goal.

Half-Time: Glendale XI 0 Ellon Thistle 0

In contrast to the goalless first period, the second half provided five goals. Glendale opened the scoring after capitalising on a misplaced pass in the middle of the park. Alexander was the culprit and was caught out of position as the home side charged up field. A ball across the face of the goal evaded everyone except a lurking Glendale striker who composed himself and calmly slotted past Dickinson.

Thistle were denied the chance to equalise from the spot as Ryan Birnie appeared to be fouled in the penalty area but the referee ignored the Ellon claims. There was more frustration for the visitors as Glendale doubled their advantage. A short back pass from Henderson was pounced on and the Glendale striker punished the rare error by the defender by tucking the ball into the corner of the Thistle net.

Ellon's effective offside trap organised by Alexander, Henderson and Anderson had continually frustrated the opposition. However, the high defensive line was eventually breached and the hosts appeared to put the game beyond doubt with a third goal. Dickinson was left with no chance to prevent the ball nestling in the back of the net and Thistle had a mountain to climb.

Nevertheless, the visitors did not let their heads drop and quickly started another attack. In a sustained period of pressure, Dailly, Davidson and Birnie caused problems down the left. Billy Dailly had a shot from the edge of the box hit the outside of the post with the goalkeeper squirming to cover his goal. The pressure eventually paid off when Michael Wild was scythed to the ground in the penalty area by three Glendale defenders and the referee pointed to the spot. Bruce ALEXANDER stepped up and confidently smashed the ball down the centre of the goal and his strike literally burst the back of the net.

Michael Wild had the chance to reduce the deficit further but somehow managed to blaze over the bar from just a few yards out. In spite of this, the striker did manage to get his name on the score sheet. Thistle suppressed another Glendale onslaught and a long ball set WILD scampering through on goal. A classy finish by the front man put Ellon back in the game and set up a frantic finale.

Good work again from Dailly on the left should have resulted in an equaliser for the visitors but his cross eluded Wild's outstretched leg and bobbled out for a goal kick. In the end, Thistle were unable to break down the Glendale defence for the equaliser and missed out on the opportunity to top the table.

Final Score: Glendale XI 3 Ellon Thistle 2

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