East End win 2-1 on aggregate
Macduff Sports Centre, NRJFA Relegation/Promotion Playoff, 28/5/24
Me still 309, Wee Man still 174
Deveronside Junior Football Club
Founded – 1977
Nickname -The Side
Selected Honours – North Region (North ) League Winners -1983/84, 1985/86, 1987/88, 1988/89, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1993/94, 1995/96, 1999/00 and 2000/01. North Region Second Division – 1978/79, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1987/88, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98 and 2000/01. Morayshire Junior Cup– 1984/85, 1986/87, 1992/93 and 1994/95.
Random Fact – The club sat out the 2006/07 season as they failed to find a manager for the campaign.
A late entry into the worst game of the season chat. This was grim viewing for numerous reasons. The ball was never out of the air. The unforced error count was off the scale. Some of the misses were abysmal and down right laughable. The stop start nature of the match due to the foul count was tedious and it really just served up a lack of entertainment. I get that the pressure is on in playoffs but still this was not good at all.
The first half saw very little action. East End had a couple sloppy effort wide early doors. The ball was constantly being punted high and East End’s ball over the top into the corner wasnt working no matter how often they tried it . Wee Man was clearly bored as he spent a chunk of the half working out if he had visited clubs with north, south, east,west in their name. Turns out he has. Dundee North End, Edinburgh South, East End and Forfar West End. Working this out was his favourite part of the half, that was clear. The highlight of the half for me was the pie which was stuffed with fine tender steak.
HT 0 v 0
At half time I had a chat with an old team mate Neil Christie, the current Maud assistant manager, a blast from the past from juvenile fitba. This ensued while I multitasked by passing the ball with Wee Man. This was more stimulating than the previous 45 for sure.
East End were the better team in the opening stages and really should have taken the lead when Clark Sharp was through but he seemed to dither getting a shot off but hit it straight at Side keeper.The End then went on to hit the bar soon after when Bradley Manson curled and effort well but it just didnt dip enough. They then had the ball in the net only for it to be swiftly ruled offside. Deveronside then had chances of their own as they grew into the half.Both fell to Owen Christie who first missed the target from ten yards when he curled wide when he should have been scoring. Then he managed to clear the perimeter fence and hill behind the ground with an effort from eight yards. Jake said it was an “absolute banana”. It was poor from Christie. Then from the goal kick East End went up the park and took the lead when Calder netted a rebound after Onwa broke free to pull and got his strike away which was too hot for the keeper to hold. Then all hell broke loose on the restart. A skirmish unfolded around the half way line on the wing. In the pile of bodies a clear black and white boot kicked out at an East End player. Then in came in End’s Jack Odlin to stick a headbutt on a home player. The ref was going to use a drop ball to start proceedings again but his linesman called him over. Odlin walked and I thought there would be another red for the kick out but there was only a flurry of yellows dished out and the game was go. Could Deveronside take advantage of the man advantage? No would be the answer even with a 55 minute half played out. They should have a had a penalty when one of their players (8) was walloped across the face in the box when a free kick was played into the danger zone. But incredibly none of the officials saw it and that was that. East End battle on for survival in the Premier and face Longside on Saturday.
Entrance – Me £6, Wee Man free
Attendance – 159 (rough head count)
Pie – £7.50, Pie x 2, coffee, juice, Wispa
Pint – N/A
Score Predictions – Me 0 v 2, Wee Man 1 v 3
Season Score Prediction Totals – Me 2 v 1 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 