Lawsondale 3G, AAFA Premier League, 24/8/24
Me 321, Wee Man 186
After the completion of the NESFA last night, it was quickly followed up by the re-completion of all the NRJFA grounds with a visit to Lawsondale. Although it was somewhat of a cheat as we went to watch the Amateur branch of the club as opposed to the Juniors themselves. But going back to the NESFA, Fyvie came from there prior to joining the AAFA where they have now worked their way up the leagues and are in their maiden season in the Premier. I am fully behind them in their top flight quest. For two reasons, they are local to me and also they are a teuchter team and i will back them all (unless playing Ellon Thistle). After conflicting starts to the season we both predicted Fyvie wins. This because Westdyke were yet to record a point and were bottom (the Junior set up maybe being to the detriment of the Amateurs?) and Fyvie had defeated Kemnay AFC and drawn with heavyweights Echt already. The game was pretty even and it took an moment of magic to separate the teams. Early doors the teams had half chances and the play was evenly spread end to end but it just felt like if anyone was going to do anything it would be the visitors and they did when they took the lead. A corner found striker Ross Donald at the edge of the box who got a wee bit of a header on it. The ball headed to teammate Ross Hosie but it was behind him. This was no issue as the number 5 improvised with a delightful backheeled flick over his own head landing it between the Dyke defence and keeper where Tommy Gillan nipped in to tap home. As far as assists go this was incredible and worth the entrance fee alone. Gillan couldn’t possible miss given the perfection of the delivery. Westdyke should have been on level terms immediately when a fortuitous stumble from a Fyvie defender let in Ibrahim Naveed but for whatever reason he missed the target from inside the box. A big chance spurned. Speaking of big chances being spurned goalscorer Gillan was to miss a solid chance when he under hit an effort from 18 yards straight at the keeper. I am pretty sure any form of power would have seen the net bulge and this goes for Wee Man too who said “why did he not blooter it?”. On Wee Man and his wee nuggets he comes away with . He hears the words fuck and fucking a lot, it goes hand and hand with watching fitba. He knows they are “bad”. Today he heard the Fyvie manager shout “that’s fucking brilliant”. This confusing him as he said “how is that a thing?How can a swear and brilliant be together?”. Sometimes the innocence of a 9 year old can be brilliant. But also sometimes I forget he is only 9 as he can also be the opposite and very wise for his age. Both teams continued to get forward but not a huge amount was created. For the record Fyvie being prevented by a fine defensive performance from big Westdyke defender Tom Yeats. I thought he was very good all game.
HT 0 v 1
Having a look out the fence at the half I noticed how close we were to the Aberdeen training ground. It made me wonder if new signing Kevin Nisbet was in the house as he I heard on the radio on arrival at Lawsondale that his signing was imminent. The second half was much of the same barring a cold wind had set in. So much so I went for a coffee as I was feeling the chill(I have recently returned to work in Africa and I am a wimp at home again). Much to my dismay, the coffee maker had broken down, so disconcerted at the lack of caffeine/heat fix I even forgot to buy a pie and walked out with Wee Man’s crisps only. On my return to pitch side there was a big shout for handball in the box from a Hosie shot, the referee even put his whistle in his mouth but decided against it. I think it was a big let off for the Dyke but another part of me thinks the ref thought there was no way of getting the hand out of the way given the short distance and ferocity of the strike. So maybe it was correct. It made np difference to the games outcome in the end. A couple more half chances a piece and the game fizzled out sending the points back up to AB53 continuing what has been a solid start to the season for the new kids on the block. 7 out of 9 points so far.
As we were stuck in the ridiculous traffic at Hazelhead on the way into town after Wee man looked at the league and said he was asking where the teams played. He worked out he had 5 left of the 14 to drop in at. Kincorth, Fyvie, Bervie Caledonian, St Laurence and Banchory . I think he was hinting at a Premier League conquest. Nice
Entrance – Free
Attendance – 40
Pie – Didnt bother as was distraught the coffee machine had broken
Pint – N/A
Score Predictions – Me 0 v 2, Wee Man 1 v 2
Score Predictions Season Total – Me 0 v 0 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 