North Lodge , Highland Football League, 29/3/25
Me still 338
Formartine United Football Club
Founded – 1948
Nickname – United
Honours (Since step up to senior)- Highland League Cup – 2017/18. Aberdeenshire Cup – 2013/14 and 2017/18. Aberdeenshire Shield – 2018/19.
Not the plan today. After a bloody freezing but ace walk around Haddo with my favourite duo since Wayne and Garth. Some bad planning led me to sitting in the house sans everyone with a B plan of RedTV and Aberdeen v Motherwell. But at 14.45 I decided to fire over to the only game that was achievable, a C plan . It was a big one too at North Lodge. As I approached the crossroads of the A920 the car park looked hoaching, suggesting there was to be a big crowd in. This led to me parking on the main road , which is quite mad that other teams were refused entry to the league previously on lack of parking but here I am abandoning the car on an ‘A’ road. Anyway, as I got out the motor I was met with a familiar HFL face in Graeme ‘Spider’ Stewart who obviously fancied a big game. Or them again was maybe watching his next adventure….watch this space. With little time it was a pie and coffee and as I was purchasing the goods I went back to the pre mentioned Wayne’s World as I was met with the two usual friendly faces in the pie hut. But unusually also by another who surprised with my Chicago Blackhawks hat asked why I was wearing it .I explained that when I was a kid I watched the NHL and the reason I adopted the Hawks was because Wayne and Garth supported them and that was good enough for me(“game on”). She was from the Chicago area and thats why she supported them. A far better reason than mine to be honest.No sooner had finished my pie the game was up and running. No matter what, Brechin had to go about their business of winning this at a ground they had yet to register a point at during their prolonged stay in the greatest league on earth. With Brora up against a tough opposition in Banks o’ Dee up the road. A win here could take them top potentially. The mission was three points and they got them with relative ease against a Formartine who seemed to already be on the beach. There was an early chance for Mitchell Taylor who from 18 yards fired an effort ove the bar. With the space he was in a bit of composure would have seen him score. But the Brechin number 3 was to make up for it as he was seriously brilliant throughout. I was well impressed with him and he was a joy to watch. He wasnt long until he was stomping his importance on the game when he swung a ball ito the box for Cillian Sheridan who smashed home a volley. A well worked goal. This coming just after Brora had taken the lead at Dudgeon Park. The same two were on hand for Brechin’s next chance but this time , United keeper Corbett was on hand to pull off a superb save to stop Sheridan’s brace. This was pretty a one way game as Brechin pushed but at the break it was just the one. Much to the surprise of me and my random, we just got talking, company for the match Gary(a sound dude for the record).
HT 0 v 1
It was not long before it was two for the Hedgemen when substitute Lewis Milne rose to nod in a corner. It wasn’t looking good for Formartine but I am sure they should have had a pen seconds after the Brechin second when Ward broke into the box and seemed to be clipped by McKay. The referee didnt bat an eyelid but surely by the travel of the ball it was not a touch of the ball so surely a dive and a booking in that case. (It was a pen for sure).But nothing came of it. Brechin kept at United and notched a third and again from a Formartine point of view it was a poor as it was another weakly challenged set piece as Martin headed home a Lewis corner. Game, set and match. A moment of controversy reared its head when hair bun wearing Brechin striker Sheridan clearly kicked out at Aaron Norris on the touchline. I saw it from the other end, Gary saw it but the referee somehow missed it from a handful of yards. Incredible goings on as it was as clear a red as you could see. Formartine to be fair hadn’t given up and reduced the arrears when Scott Adams after a superb turn unleashed an unstoppable bending effort from 18 yards out. Lenny Wilson had no chance at all. But Brechin werent having it and went straight up the park to regain their three goal advantage when Louden burst through to be stopped by a great save from Corbett but nobody in red and white fancied clearing it leaving man of the match (by lightyears too) Taylor to finish into an empty net. The Brechin 3 deserved it as he was as good as unplayable all afternoon. As time ticked on Brora scored a second up the road. This putting them in pole position for the title. Realistically today was the day the HFL, the greatest league in the world was won for 2024/25, but in terms of maths, its going to the last day for sure.
After seeing both Brora and Brechin this week in the business end of the season, I know who the better team are and I cannot see past the Highland of the two winning the league. Brechin did their job today but were no great shakes. Louden and Taylor were very good but outwith them. Funny things can happen in fitba. I cannot see that being the case in the last two matches.
Entrance – £10
Attendance – 285 (Rough head count)
Pie – £4, Pie and Coffee
Pint – Bar closed for corporate
FITBAWBAG 