Woodside v Ellon Thistle

Scottish Cup Third Round

With injuries and suspensions to the last 3 team captains, Bruce Alexander was called upon to skipper the Thistle side for their Scottish Cup 3rd round tie against 1st Divison Woodside at Sheddocksley. Ellon boasted an impressive record against their opponents in recent years and were looking to continue at Sheddocksley. However, it was the home side who started the better. Less than thirty seconds into the game, Paul Bassett brought down a Woodside opponent inside the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. A confident strike put the hosts in front and a startled Thistle side struggled to reorganise following the early setback.

The superior determination of the home side was evident throughout the first half as they battled for the majority of the possession. Thistles attacking formation was soon tweaked to quell the threat of each Woodside attack. The strategy changes were unable to prevent Thistle falling further behind. A Woodside corner was not dealt with and Neil Mitchell's attempted clearance crashed off a Woodside player and fortune favoured the home side as the ball flew into the net past the helpless Andy Dickinson in the Thistle goal.

Thistle were given an undeserved reprieve when a rare attack involving Alexander, Beaton and Mitchell resulted in the latter having his cross blocked by the arm of the Woodside full back. Again, the referee was in no doubt and pointed to the spot. Billy Dailly stepped up but his tame effort to the goalkeepers left was easily gathered and the scoreline remained the same at the interval.

Half-Time: Woodside 2 Ellon Thistle 0

A positive start from the visitors in the second forty-five, but they were unable to turn their possession into clear-cut chances. As Thistle pressed to get back into the game, Woodside looked dangerous on the counter attack and were denied twice by brave Dickinson stops. With Thistle looking unlikely to get on the scoresheet, manager Kev Kennedy made two changes. Ryan Birnie and Martyn Duncan, both out recently through injury, replaced Henderson and Beaton.

Immediately, Duncan was involved in the action and perhaps had Thistle's best opportunity with a header from 16 yards out which he watched rise agonisingly over the crossbar. At the final whistle, Ellon were left to reflect on a poor performance and a disappointing early exit from the Scottish Cup. An impressive display by Graeme Giles at the heart of the defence one of the few positives that could be taken from the game.

Final Score: Woodside 2 Ellon Thistle 0

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