Jim Glennie Park, AAFA Division 1 (East), 16/4/25
Me still 340
Stonehaven Athletic Football Club
Founded – 1971
Nickname – N/A
Honours –Division Two (North) – 2007/08. Edmond Trophy – 1972/73. Patterson Cup -1997/98. Hans Fyfe Trophy – 2006/07. Castle Rovers Cup – 2007/08.
Random Fact – Prior to their current moniker, the club were known as Stonehaven White Heather, named after a local juicer, this until 1999.
A sore one on the coast for Thistle tonight. A self inflicted one too in my eyes. As the rain clung to my jacket, darkness drew in and the referee kicked off early meaning I missed the first five minutes as I was having a pint, Thistle were the brighter of the teams early on. They were getting forward at will with balls in behind the Stonehaven left back paying off on numerous occasions. However, the subsequent balls into the box usually from Moffatt or Donald, which more often than not were as good as perfect were wasted. This because nobody seemed to be taking that gamble to get in to finish off the moves. Frustrating does not even cover it as it was at least a handful in quick succession. But as Thistle were getting success down the left, Stonehaven used a similar tactic and took the lead against the run of play. Lewie Sawyer put the burners on and broke into the box from the left firing an effort out of Law’s reach and putting the hosts one up. It has to be said he was in too much space as he received the ball. What nobody realised was this was only the start of things to come from the rapid Athletic man. Thistle kept at the hosts on the massive Jim Glennie pitch. Is it massive or was I imagining it? Also is it poorly floodlit? Pretty sure it needs brighter bulbs. Anyway, without digressing too much, Thistle didn’t trouble Stonehaven keeper Blackhouse at any point despite the high levels of possession, tidy fitba and balls into the box. It was to cost them dearly. Before the half ended it was held up with a sickening clash of heads which saw Thistle man Ryan Webster nut Logan Ross in mid air creating a horrid thud of skull on skull. Not a foul, just one of those unfortunate ones that happen. Both players hit the deck but Webster was worse off as he spurted crimson from his forehead all over the plastic pitch leading to a trip to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for the Jags midfielder. I cant help but think this loss was detrimental to Ellon’s night.
HT 1 v 0
Going how Ellon had played first half I was still confident of win as was Dad, but a different Thistle came out for the second 45. The bonnie fitba was mostly gone. Not that they didn’t try, they just seemed to have lost the accuracy of their passing. I think the fact Stonehaven were so quick to close down was a big factor too but Thistles use of the ball could have been better over the half for sure. They did equalise early doors with some great fitba played resulting in a jabbed ball between two defenders finding Brodie Stewart who smashed the ball across goal giving Blackhouse no chance. No sooner had the equaliser found its way in, Stonehaven were awarded a penalty when after Ellon failed in simple terms, to clear their fucking lines, this lead to David Coutts being forced to make a last ditch challenge which was mistimed. Referee Murdo Anderson didn’t think twice about awarding the kick and Sawyer sent the kick past Law. A completely avoidable concession. This did two things. Firstly it got Stonehaven tails up and they were the better team for a large spell and to be fair showed some great energy despite also playing on Monday night. But futhermore it also knocked a fair chunk of stuffing out of Ellon who had got into a bad habit of dropping far too deep . This aiding Stonehaven who grabbed a third when when Cruikshank’s was caught wrong side and Sawyer nipped in and notched his hat trick. But the two goal lead was smartly halved when a daft foul from a Stonehaven player out on the left wing gave Ellon a free kick. Stewart took it and sending it into the box. To be honest it did not look to be too troublesome but Coutts made sure he was on hand to coolly side foot volley home. 3 v 2. Game on again. Unfortunately not for long as Sawyer rubbed more salt in the wounds of Ellon and scored his fourth of the match when he found the ball from a Ross Gordon challenge in midfield, the already hat trick hero beat everything thrown at him by the Ellon defence and nailed a low effort into Laws bottom right killing the game and taking what was a deserved three points on the night. Two decent football playing teams, two very differing halves and the home side better overall in the end. Put it this way, I am still not sure if Blackhouse is any use as a keeper as he was not tested at any point. If you want to win leagues, it must be better. Tonight was a reality check in what is a tough run to see this promotion dream through, this before thinking of the title. A blow to Thistle who are are still second, but are now equal on games with AC Mill Inn Academy. But the show goes on and its going to be interesting and guaranteed to have more twists. Next stop for Ellon, Rubislaw on Saturday v Bon Accord City
Entrance – Free
Attendance – 49
Pie -N/A
Pint – £4.20, Tennent’s, Queens Hotel
FITBAWBAG 