Insch v Ellon Thistle

Division One North

With Ellon Thistle's current run of form, a midweek trip to Insch was always going to be tricky and so it proved as the hosts cruised to a 5-0 win. Newcomer Ryan Barry made his debut at the heart of the defence while Mark Cockburn and Darren Bailey returned to the starting eleven. Michael Gibson started for the first time this season as Joe Roger dropped to the bench.

Insch were the first to have an effort on goal but an attempted lob of Ellon keeper Adamson went narrowly over. Michael Wild rarely leaves Insch without a goal to his name and he had chance to open the scoring but his shot was cleared off the line with the keeper beaten. Mark Cockburn fancied his chances from a free kick after Martyn Galley was fouled but he failed to beat the Insch defensive wall. However, the hosts had more success from a similarly positioned set-piece when their number 7 side footed the ball round a poorly positioned 3-man wall into the corner of the Thistle net.

Insch had two claims for a penalty ignored by the referee but added their second goal of the evening soon after. A cross from the right was met by an unmarked Insch forward lurking at the back post to make the score 2-0. A poor headed clearance inside The Jags penalty area almost cost another goal but Ellon avoided further punishment for now. At the other end, Thistle were denied a stonewall penalty when Michael Wild hit the deck under a challenge from the Insch goalkeeper. The referre did not get much wrong during the course of the ninety minutes but on this ocassion, he wrongly let play continue and the decision clearly affected the Thistle side as heads began to drop.

One way traffic ensued as Insch strived for a third goal and one that would all but secure the three points. Ellon struggled to retain possession resulting in their backline being under constant pressure and they paid the price when Graeme Giles failed to prevent his opponent whipping in a low cross which was met by a diving header for 3-0.

Michael Gibson had a chance to reduce the deficit when he cut inside on his weaker left foot only to see his effort cleared off the line.

Half Time: Insch 3 Ellon Thistle 0

Changes were made at the interval as Euan Ramage and Dave Watson were introduced in place of Callum Duncan and Mark Cockburn. Ellon started the second half brightly with Martyn Galley, Michael Gibson and Michael Wild combining well with the latter earning a corner. Graeme Giles got his head to Galley's delivery but could not find the target.

Ellon goalkeeper Daniel Adamson had a busy evening and was called into action again when he had to back peddle quickly to tip a looping effort over the bar. Thistle made their final change when Joe Roger replaced Stephen Cruickshanks with over half an hour remaining. Despite being three behind, Darren Bailey continued to battle for every ball but was lucky not to be booked for a challenge on the Insch touchline.

Ellon's promising start to the half was shortlived and the hosts added their fourth of the game when a ball across the edge of the Thistle penalty area was smashed home. It was almost five just minutes later when another cross fired across the face of the visitor's goal just missed the outstretched leg of Insch's number eleven.

Michael Gibson had another glimpse of goal but again found himself on his weaker left side but he still brought a save out of the Insch keeper. However, it was Insch who continued to create the better openings and their number 10 had a great chance to score another when he beat Daniel Adamson to the ball only to run it out of play for a goal kick. Further saves from Adamson and the woodwork prevented Thistle falling further behind. A quick Insch counter attack was halted by the last ditch intervention of Martyn Galley who prevented more potential calamity. But not for long, from the resultant corner, the home side scored their fifth when a header went unchallenged inside the penalty area.

It finished 5-0 in Insch's favour and based on their last three performances in which they have conceded 15 goals, it looks like it will be a very long season for Ellon Thistle.

Final Score: Insch 5 Ellon Thistle 0

Ellon Thistle: Adamson, Alexander, Bailey, Barry, Giles, Cruickshanks (Roger), C. Duncan (Watson), Galley, Cockburn (Ramage), Wild, Gibson. Subs not used: Drummond, MacLean.

Man of the Match: