Latest Match Report

Last seasons North of Scotland Cup run had been one of the highlights of the campaign.Today we faced Bankhead in the second round, after receiving a bye in the first. To date, we have comprehensively taken care of the academy based side twice this season, however an impressive league victory over Monymusk last weekend, would ensure that we could not be complacent going into the cup tie. Sct Marlow was between the posts, Mutch, G.Fulton, Young & N.Duncan formed the rearguard. Ellis, a late replacement for the injured Laing, MacDonald, Morgan and Simpson were in midfield behind front pairing Webster and R.Fulton. In reserve were Marlow, Wallace, West, Jacques and the aforementioned injured Laing. Halli played into a strong sun as referee Boyes got play underway. We were quickly into our stride with Morgan starting where he had left off in the last outing, completely dominating the centre. The diminutive midfielder was all over the park and winning more than his fair share of high balls due mainly to his will to win attitude.  In 15 a great move resulted in an angled ball out wide to Ellis and he struck a strong drive over the top. Early on we were looking a lot more solid at the back however keeper Sct Marlow was having difficulty in keeping his kick outs on the park. We went on the offensive again and a quick burst down the left found Simpson who drilled the ball into the area. It fell sweetly into the path of MacDonald who unfortunately fresh aired his attempted effort. This only succeeded in acting as a dummy allowing the ball to roll to Morgan who curled a shot towards the back post forcing the keeper into a comfortable save. Halli continued to press and the visitors finally succumbed in 35. Webster collecting wide left cutting inside before burying a low drive in the corner. In 38 Young smashed into a challenge on the halfway line to take man and ball. This incensed the visitors however Mr Boyes was well placed to wave play on. Mutch  broke up a left wing raid to turn defence into attack and his cross field ball dropped just too deep for Simpson. Just on the break Halli survived a near thing. Bankhead took a corner from the right and neither R.Fulton nor Webster covered back with the forward chasing full back. He collected the short corner in his stride and curled the ball across. It was sent back in from the left and a looping header beat Sct Marlow. Young had other ideas and leapt to clear off the line. The 17 stoner got up so high he struck his head on the crossbar! The ball meantime had still not been cleared and hung invitingly in the 6 yard box. Sct Marlow failed to get up to it and took a knock on the head as an attacker stormed in. His effort fell inside the 6 yard box and eventually we hacked it clear (H.T1-0). We had been well on top but badly needed a second goal. This duly arrived courtesy of R.Fulton. He brilliantly controlled and turned inside the area then drove a shot across the goal into the far corner.   Mutch, despite a lack of Jelly Babies, was on song this afternoon and enjoyed a great second half.  His determined defending and incisive overlapping saw him dominate the right flank. In 60 we appeared to have scored again when a ball turned in from the left saw MacDonald throw himself through the air to knock it home. In doing so he also slammed Ellis against the near post. For reasons known only to Mr Boyes the goal was disallowed and Ellis gingerly got back into the action. Morgan was next in the wars turning his knee as he went into a challenge. A small thing like this was never going to put Morgan out of the match and he resumed after treatment only to be put straight under pressure by a hospital pass from Young. In 72 Young did well after collecting a pass from G.Fulton wide right on the halfway line. He drove forward bursting between two defenders as he made ground up the wing. He looked up and played in MacDonald who stroked it into the net. Minutes later Mutch broke free up the line and put over an inch perfect ball to Webster who orbited a shot miles over the top. The striker did not have to wait too long however to increase his tally. Bankhead contributed to their own downfall this time as they stopped to allow us to make a substitution, albeit without waiting for the referee to halt play!! As Bankhead stood stationary Halli raced in on goal and Webster slotted in our 4^th. Wallace, Jacques and now West were all introduced for Ellis, Simpson and MacDonald as Halli went nap in 85, Webster claiming his hat-trick. Bankhead had time to launch one last attack however it was tidied up by Mutch and G.Fulton. The ref blew for time however Wallace was having none of that nonsense and decided that he would keep the game going. He fended off his stunned opponent and made his way goal wards only to have his bubble burst as 25 voices yelled “ Gordon, take the nets down!!” (F.T.5-0). Good win but it is hard to see where 4-3 win for Bankhead last week came from. Hallitopman this afternoon Bruce Mutch. We can now look forward to a massive league game next week v Stoneywood.A drink free Friday please !!