2024/25 – Formartine United 2 v 4 Fraserburgh

The Haughs (Turriff United), Aberdeenshire Shield Final, 12/3/25

Me still 335

Aberdeenshire and District Football Association

Founded – 1887

Shield Inaugural Season – 1990/91

Random Fact – Out of all the winners of the Shield this match was between the most successful side, Fraserburgh (9) and the side with the lowest amount Formartine United (1)

As I got home from Aberdeen earlier the sleet was chucking it down and the sky was black. Not a good sign if I was to head up the A947 to the quality home of Turriff United, the Haughs. With it being me on my lonesome I decided to brave the weather and head up to my third consecutive Shield final. As I pulled up in Turra the rain was hammering down which could only mean one thing. The Haughs pitch was in for a battering as 22 men battled for the gloriously crafted Aberdeenshire Shield or the Fleming Shield to give it its real name.

After seeing both teams in the last couple of weeks I was confident of a Broch win. I am also a bit of a Jonah for Formartine in finals and I am amassing a long list of finals I have seen them defeated in, this going back into their Junior years this also added to my confidence. Despite my tourie which was mistaken numerous times for a Formartine hat with comments such as “you are well out numbered tonight” and “mon the Burry” right in my face I was fully behind a Broch win. It was well on the cards too at half time. Both decked out in change kits the game was a slow starter and had a feel of two teams sussing each other out on the sodden Haughs turf. The ball was evenly spread between the sides with only difference between the two teams being the Broch had chances. Greg Buchan had a shot which flew past MacDonald’s goal skiffing the side netting. Then came an overhead kick from an unusual source in veteran skipper Willie West but it was tame. The same man was to open the scoring a minute later when he popped up to take advantage of what was a totally mistimed header from a United defender. This time while upright he made no mistake from pretty much the exact spot where his attempted acrobatics took place just before. However,West seemed to be in acres of space when the ball fell at his feet. First blood the Shire Shield specialists. Questions needed to be asked of Formartine’s defence once again when the Broch doubled their lead through Logan Watt. A cross from West saw Watt stroll past three black shirted players to tap in from inside the six yard box completely unopposed. It was far too easy for Fraserburgh.

HT 0 v 2

The second 45 saw Formartine’s frustrations come to the fore and to be honest they actually looked like a beaten team in the earlier parts. Then from out of nowhere they grabbed a lifeline. One of those hard to deal with long throws Formartine have in their armoury from the hands of Matthew McLean finally paid off and Stewart Smith nipped in to head home from maybe three yards. Game on with 37 minutes to go. Then incredibly from looking out of the game a couple of minutes prior, Formartine were level when Aaron Norris tried his luck from distance, his effort took a horrid deflection leaving Joe Barbour no chance as the ball went up and over the already diving keeper. At this point a certain chairman came out with his chest puffed out of his club blazer peacocking about the smokers area and he really should have seen his team head into a 3 v 2 lead when Julien Wade had a clear shot at goal but the effort was too easy for Barbour. At this point the Broch had lost all shape and ideas. They had no midfield and could not get a hold of the ball while Formartine were managing to play football around them. But never write of the Broch in a cup competition and despite looking lost they pulled off a cracking team move to set up Scott Barbour a couple of yards out to tap in. A proper kick in the bollocks for Formartine and their now disappeared chairman. This seemed to rock United and allowed the Broch to recover from what was a pretty hefty sized wobble, this rejuvenated charge from the red and black men was led by the buzz bomb that is Greg Buchan who I thought was bloody brilliant on the night and robbed of man of the match. The Shield was then sealed by the Bellslea men when Jamie Beagrie blasted home a rebound off a MacDonald save from Connor Wood, who after some great work on the right had let fly. It was looking like it would have needed a minor miracle for the Pitmedden team to get anything from this game. The Broch had the ball in the net again when substitute Sean Butcher scored from five yards but he was adjudged offside and to be fair some Fraserburgh fans in line with it said it was just off. Scotty Barbour then had a chance that was well met by MacDonald to round off the action. The final whistle sounded ending this cracking cup final which the now torn to bits Haughs pitch was probably thankful to hear. As was usual Broch game acquaintance Steve Milinkovic-Savic.The Broch had their hands on the Aberdeenshire Shield for the 10th time. Considering that the trophy only came on the go in 1990/91 it is quite the haul as is their 14 cups this century. Two teams with totally contrasting models in terms of wages and its the one with the lower budget who are winning the silverware continuously through players who do it for the chance to wear the black and white (or red and black) of Fraserburgh FC . Clearly a successful way of doing things. A brilliant club and with another final on the horizon I wish them nothing but more need for getting the Brasso out.

Entrance – £10

Attendance – 505 (Rough Head Count)

Pie – £5, Sausage roll and coffee

Pint – £3, Tennent’s, Supporters Bar