McTeagle v Ellon Thistle

Division Two East

After two weeks without a fixture, Ellon Thistle returned to league duty at Sheddocksley where they faced lowly McTeagle. Thistle went into the game confident of repeating the 4-1 success over their opponents earlier in the season. Bruce Alexander and Billy Dailly returned to the starting line up with Steven Beaton and Stephen Cruickshanks dropping to the bench.

Before the game kicked off, there were concerns raised by the Thistle management team about an area of the pitch that had badly cut up. However, after some handy re-turfing work by Graeme Giles and Thistle season ticket holder Mike Cockburn, the game was given the all-clear to go ahead.

Blustery conditions hindered both teams from playing attractive football as neither side dominated possession. With passes regularly going astray and with little goalmouth action, there was little to excite spectators on either touchline. However, Michael Wild managed to beat the offside trap and raced towards goal. He squared the ball to Martyn DUNCAN who made hard work of rolling the ball into the empty net as his clumsy first touch almost carried the ball past the post. Nevertheless, the midfielder stretched out a size 14 foot to divert the ball into the net.

Thistle's joy was short-lived as Neil Murray inadvertently controlled a cross in his own box with his arm and the referee awarded a spot kick. Once a penalty spot had been created, the ball was confidently struck past Dickinson in the Thistle goal to pull the home side level.

Half-Time: McTeagle 1 Ellon Thistle 1

There was little improvement in the standard of football in the second half but it was the side battling to avoid relegation that shocked promotion chasing Thistle. A move down the right resulted in a goal after the McTeagle striker weaved through the Thistle defence and slotted into the net. The visitors reverted to a more attacking formation in an attempt to get back on terms but chances were still few and far between. A number of brave stops by goalkeeper Dickinson prevented further embarrassment for Ellon.

McTeagle earned a well deserved victory and dealt a major blow to Ellon Thistle's promotion hopes.

Final Score: McTeagle 2 Ellon Thistle 1

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