Grammar FPs v Ellon Thistle

Division Two North

Ellon Thistle returned to league action on Saturday with a trip to Rubislaw to face Grammar FP's with The Jags requiring a win to avoid becoming detached from the early pace setters at the top of the table. The home side had lost seven of their nine league games this season but were unlucky not to earn themselves a point in an uninspiring encounter.

A match earlier in the day had changed the official going of the playing surface from soft to heavy and this had a detrimental effect on the quality of football on display. In the first half, chances for the visitors were few and far between and as they tried to shake off early lethargy, Grammar may have capitalised had they converted a number of teasing crosses that flashed across Adamson's goal. Ellon striker Keith Reid was booked for kicking the ball away after declining the referree's invitation to atone for his act of dissent by retrieving the ball. An uneventful first period ended with neither goalkeeper called into action.

Grammar squandered the best opportunity to break the deadlock when Anderson and Adamson combined to thwart an attack that perhaps should have resulted in the opening goal. However, it was the visitors who went in front thanks to a Keith Reid header that somehow sneaked across the goal line. But in true Thistle fashion, their lead must have lasted barely two minutes after a cross from the left was swept home by a Grammar forward lurking at the far post to tie the match.

At this stage, you got the feeling it was going to be 'one of those days' for The Jags and more points dropped in their quest for promotion especially when the Grammar goalkeeper pulled off a Hollywood save to deny Matthew Cowie. Persistence paid off for the big striker though, as he was rewarded for his endeavour with a stunning left footed stike that found the top corner. Thistle held on to claim the three points and climb a place to sixth in Division Two North.

Final Score: Grammar FPs 1 Ellon Thistle 2

Ellon Thistle: Adamson, Gillan, Anderson, Henderson, C. Duncan, Stephen Cruickshanks, Davidson, McKeitch (Kennedy), Reid, Cowie, Beaton (Drummond). Subs not used: .

Man of the Match: Daniel Adamson