University Colts v Ellon Thistle

Division One North

Ellon Thistle extended their winning run to three games after defeating University Colts at Balgownie on Saturday. As the only fixture to go ahead in Division One North this weekend, the victory sees Thistle climb four places to sixth in the table.

Thistle were without their most consistent performer this season in midfielder Stephen Cruickshanks, who broke his arm in the match against Theologians last week. Also dropping out of the squad was Martyn Duncan who was suffering from a bout of ‘man flu’. We hope he enjoyed his Christmas shopping with the missus. This opened the door for Callum Duncan to return to the first eleven and Mark Cockburn, who also took over the captain’s armband. Goalkeeper Daniel Adamson returned between the sticks looking to record a third consecutive clean sheet in place of Steven High.

Ellon were the first to threaten but they found the University goalkeeper in fine form as he denied both Mark Kennedy and Billy Dailly with decent stops. Steven Beaton had his effort deflected wide for a corner after good work down the right flank by Dailly.

It was Mark KENNEDY who opened the scoring after he beat his marker before unleashing an unstoppable shot high into the University net. At the other end, the home side failed to take advantage of two free-kicks in promising positions but Thistle goalkeeper Adamson was called into action to divert a powerful close range effort over the crossbar.

Before the interval, Bruce Alexander fizzed a 25-yard strike just over the University goal frame but Billy DAILLY did find the back of the net when he converted a Cockburn cross at the second attempt to give Ellon a two goal advantage at half-time.

Half Time: University Colts 0 Ellon Thistle 2

The visitors were sluggish from the restart and were allowing the University midfield plenty of possession in the middle of the park. The home side capitalised by pulling a goal back after a University forward stumbled through a number of challenges before confidently despatching the ball in the top corner of the Ellon net.

Despite the loss of a goal, the Ellon back line had been solid throughout the ninety minutes and had coped well with the tricky underfoot conditions as the rain began to pour heavily. The resolute defensive performance was largely thanks to the return to form of Neil Henderson, whose assured display deservedly earned him the man of the match award.

Mark Kennedy and Billy Dailly both had chances to add to their goal tallies as the former fired wide from 20-yards out before Dailly failed to connect with a David Anderson cross that flashed across the face of the goal.

With ten minutes remaining, substitute Andy MACLEAN provided the finishing touch to a well constructed move to all but seal the three points for Thistle. Billy Dailly should have made it four in the closing stages only to be denied by a defender on the goal line with the goalkeeper stranded.

A deserved three points and a third consecutive win for The Jags as they continue their ascent up the Division One North table.

Final Score: University Colts 1 Ellon Thistle 3

Ellon Thistle: Adamson, Henderson, Anderson, Alexander, Rennie, C. Duncan, Cockburn (Murray), Dailly, Beaton (MacLean), Kennedy, Birnie (McKeitch). Subs not used: Ironside, Bruce.

Man of the Match: Neil Henderson