Spain Park, Highland Football League, 1/3/24
Me still 300, Wee Man still 168
Banks o’ Dee Football Club
Founded – 1902
Nicknames – The Dee, The Rechabites
Selected Honours – Scottish Junior Cup-1957, Highland League Cup – 2022/23 Aberdeenshire Cup 2021/22, Aberdeenshire Shield– 2021/22 and 2023/24. North Region Superleague – 2007/08, 2008/09, 2015/16, 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2021/22. Grill League Cup – 2013/14, 2016/17, 2018/19 and 2021/22. North Regional Cup – 1969/70, 1970/71, 1973/74, 1976/77, 1978/79, 1980/81, 1981/82, 1983/84, 1984/85, 2010/11, 2017/18 and 2018/19. McLeman Cup – 1924/25, 1937/38, 1938/39, 1950/51, 1955/56, 1958/59, 1960/61, 1967/68, 1969/70, 1978/79, 1981/82, 1986/87, 1990/91, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2018/19 and 2021/22
Random Fact – Banks o’ Dee have been the most visited club by Wee Man and I in every season since I gave up my season ticket at Pittodrie 4 years ago. This looks to be the case again this season.
Bloody hell. That’s my thoughts. I constantly repeat myself when I say “the best league in the world” and every time I refer to the Highland Football League by this I genuinely mean it. Tonight was a bloody brilliant advert for said best league in the world. Seriously awesome viewing. Two teams going for it, a late comeback, goals galore, great goalkeeping, healthy crowd, under the lights and I would imagine one of the best games played in Aberdeen this season. Better than any of the shite served up 3 miles away. Anyway, what’s not to like about how this panned out.
With the season heading into its final two months and a three way chase for the title unfolding, this tonight was unmissable. But in truth not just for the Dee and their title challenge but Turriff seemed to have upped their game under manager Warren Cummings. This was to be no easy game for second placed Dee.
The opening fifteen minutes were much in the home sides favour. They could have been one up in the first couple of minutes when Hamish MacLeod found his way into the box one on one but David Dey got down very well to save. More chances came in the opening quarter hour for the Dee but Dey was well up to the challenge and stood up to everything thrown at him ( I raved about his performance at the Locos a couple of months ago and this tonight was up there as just as impressive. Top keeper). Turriff worked their way into the game after the early pressure they were under and looked a decent side and dangerous on the break causing difficulties for the Dee back line. They took the lead through Max Foster who was there on the end of a McKeown set piece to brilliantly head past Hoban in the Banks o’ Dee goal leaving him no chance, this coming on the 27th minute. Three minutes later they doubled their lead when Ewan Clark took advantage of some slack defending to slip the ball low past Hoban from ten yards out as he lost the whole Dee backline. The home players looked shocked at what was unfolding but like any good team they got their shit together and took the game to Turriff and when they get going they are a hugely dangerous side. They put pressure on Turriff and both Wee Man and I thought a goal was coming and we were right. Lachie MacLeod halved Turriff’s lead when he took the ball around Dey and stick the ball into he net leaving a defender aimlessly chasing the ball to no avail. Game on. But the Dee seemed to transform into a different animal after their goal and bombarded Turriff. But that man Dey was determined to keep his team in the lead, this clear when he pulled off a brilliant save from Hamish MacLeod sending the ball out for a corner. Then pulling off another tidy save off a header from the resulting corner. The Dee smelled blood and to be honest the amount efforts spurned was incredible. Turriff needed half time to come. Banks o’ Dee had the ball in the net when a long range effort from Ethan Cairns thundered off the bar leaving a tap in for Lachie MacLeod. Unfortunately for the striker he was judged offside much to his disgust which earned him a booking. With the last kick of the half the other sibling Hamish now in a different shirt number in 19 when he started as 11, had a big chance but he flashed his effort wide. The Turriff goal was leading a charmed life . Half time was clearly a relief for Turra
HT 1 v 2
The inevitable tyre game was played at HT. Wee Man’s favourite thing at any ground he has set foot in. It’s just part and parcel of the Spain Park experience. The wee bugger beat me too.
The second half came and the Dee were on the attack early and looked as hungry as the did ending the first half. However they failed to net this despite Gilmour having a massive chance to equalise when Dey had gone walkabouts leaving a couple of defenders to beat on the line, but he struck wide. The same man then fired a header over the bar moments later. Antoniazzi was putting in a decent shift and causing numerous problems for Turriff but the home side could not get the end product right. Like the first half the pressure died off and Turriff found their feet again. The game was once again well balanced as both teams looked for the next goal but it wasn’t until the 78th minute when substitute Gary Wood evened the game. A long ball found him and saw Dey rounded by the striker leaving the goal gaping and a simple finish. Wee Man, Jock (who was now in our company) and I all thought the Dee were going on to win this and that they did. In minging circumstances though. They were awarded a freekick at the left of the box. Jock and I both said, “this is it”. But we thought maybe a top corner effort. Not a horrid deflection. Marc Gilmour struck the kick which nicked the edge of the wall putting a mad spin on the the ball. From where we were at the other end but directly behind the ball changed direction on the bounce due to the spin, this as good as wrong footing Dey, The ball struck the post and despite his best efforts the keeper could only pick the ball out of the net with two minutes remaining. This sending the Dee top of the League on goal difference, by one solitary goal.
My words will never do this game justice. It was truly superb viewing and one to remember. Wee Man was buzzing in the car which is always a good thing. (He wants the Dee to win the league) But typically, it wont be part of book two as a visit to Banks o’ Dee is already chronicled. Unfortunate. But let me tell you again. It’s the best league in the world. Trust me on that. Believe my hype.
Entrance – Me £10, Wee Man Free
Attendance – 435 (Rough Head Count)
Pie – £11. Pie, coffee, juice, Kit-Kat,
Pint – N/A
Score Prediction – Me 2 v 2, Wee Man 1 v 0
Season Score Prediction Totals – Me 0 v 0 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 