University v Ellon Thistle

Division Two East

Ellon Thistle travelled to Balgownie for a league fixture with University Colts on a very wet Wednesday night hoping to record back-to-back victories. Consistent performers Stephen Cruickshanks and Neil Murray made way for Andy MacLean to make his first start since returning from injury and Mark Cockburn also returned to the starting eleven.

The University side started promisingly and forced Ellon onto the back foot in the early stages. Corners from the left were dangerous and University had the ball in the back of the net but the goal was ruled out for a foul. The visitors were dealt a blow when Mark Cockburn took a knock in a tackle on the right touchline and had to be replaced by Steven Beaton.

Michael Wild had an opportunity to put Thistle in front before half-time. The chance came from nothing as he took advantage of a lucky break of the ball but his left foot shot came back off the outside of the post.

Half-Time: University 0 Ellon Thistle 0

Wild was denied again in the second half by the impressive University goalkeeper who also turned a Beaton effort round his post. He was beaten soon after when a move involving Duncan, Wild and MacLean saw the latter striking an upright from the edge of the box. The same trio combined when Thistle eventually broke the deadlock. MacLean found Wild who should have scored but his effort was deflected into the path of DUNCAN who scrambled the ball over the line.

The home side had their best chance of the match when an attacker got in behind the Thistle defence but his strike rattled the crossbar with Dickinson beaten. University won a number of free-kicks on the edge of the visitor's box but they failed to threaten the Thistle goal. As a result, Ellon recorded their second successive 1-0 victory and consecutive clean sheets for the first time this season.

Final Score: University 0 Ellon Thistle 1

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