Hazlehead United v Ellon Thistle

Division Two East

Ellon Thistle completed their league fixtures at Sheddocksley where they faced second placed Hazlehead United on Saturday. The visitors came from behind twice to salvage a draw but were unlucky not to come out on top. Goals from Michael Wild and a first of the season for veteran Andy MacLean earned Thistle a point.

Hazlehead settled better early on and played some attractive football as Ellon took time to get to grips with the game. The hosts deservedly went in front when a 25-yard shot trundled into the bottom corner of the Thistle net. Goalkeeper Andy Dickinson was unsighted as the ball crept agonisingly past him. 1-0.

Having gone a goal behind, Ellon came back into the game with strike duo Billy Dailly and Michael Wild both causing the home defence concern. Thistle were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the Hazlehead penalty area when a United defender forced his own goalkeeper into a save from a pass-back. Bruce Alexander fired at goal from a Dailly lay-off but the wall stood firm and blocked.

Thistle did find an equaliser when Dailly picked out Michael WILD who cut inside his marker and drilled a shot low into the bottom corner. 1-1.

Half-Time: Hazlehead United 1 Ellon Thistle 1

The visitors had the best of the chances in the second half. Billy Dailly rounded the Hazlehead goalkeeper but a defender tracked him well and forced the ball out for a corner and prevented the home side going behind. Hazlehead had an opportunity to regain the lead when an attacker was fouled inside the box by Graeme Giles. Giles mistimed his tackle just inside the penalty area and once the referee had investigated the surface where the incident occurred, he confirmed a penalty had been awarded. Giles was let-off the hook when the Hazlehead penalty taker rattled the crossbar with his spot-kick.

However, the home side did sneak back in front with a goal from inside the Ellon 18-yard box. 2-1. Chances to equalise fell to Davidson and Wild but the score line was unaffected. Substitutes Steven Beaton, Mark Cockburn and Andy MacLean were all introduced in an attempt to improve Thistle’s fortune in front of goal. Luckily, the changes paid off when a pinpoint free-kick from Bruce Alexander was met by Andy MACLEAN who leapt like a salmon to power home a header. 2-2.

Hazlehead were unlucky at the other end with a similar chance from a corner. The United sweeper bulleted a header goal wards only to see his effort graze the outside of the post. Still, it was Thistle who had the best opportunities to snatch all three points. Neil Henderson found himself in nose bleed territory one-on-one with the keeper who denied the full-back with a fine stop before he thwarted goal hero MacLean and fellow substitute Beaton with impressive blocks.

A draw was perhaps a fair reflection of an evenly contested fixture and Thistle closed their league campaign unbeaten in six games.

Final Score: Hazlehead United 2 Ellon Thistle 2

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