Westfield Park, AAFA Division 1 (East), 7/5/25
Me still 343
Bridge of Don Football Club
Founded – 2012
Nickname – N/A
Honours – AAFA Division 2 (East) – 2016/17
A nil nil in amateurs. I am confident this is the first time I have seen this in my life. I am good with remembering fitba viewing and I cannot ever recall a blank. The ball was in the net at one point early doors for the hosts but I missed it as the early kick off was no use to me with bath and bed to see to with the Wee Wee Man. This meant I also missed a further scare for Thistle when BOD rattled the crossbar. As I turned up it was clear Thistle were clearly not at the races in the first half. Slow, lethargic and to be honest, just not showing they wanted it and miles off the pace. Quite disappointing if truth be told. But credit to Bridge of Don, a team who are what I think are the kind of team you dont want to face. Some good players in their ranks, namely Grant Reid, and to use a word I do not particularly like and maybe sounding a bit cliched, they are stuffy and give you little peace. Although the game lacked much action, the home side were the better team going into the break and nobody watching would have disagreed, even while being blinded by the retina burning sun from above the adjacent Braehead School.*
HT 0 v 0
Ellon were subjected to some deservedly harsh words from gaffer Les Forbes at half time. He was right in all he was saying. A line that struck was (possibly paraphrased him here but close enough) . “You are a team trying to win the title but you dont look like it”. A bang on assesment. The words worked as Thistle appeared in the second half with a bit more fire in their bellies. They had a big chance in the first couple of minutes when Brodie Stewart sailed up the line swinging in a great ball for Callum Donald who put his header over Aaron Brocks bar. Then came the moment of the match when Thistle full back Liam Kerr was penalised for handball. He was no more than a yard from the ball as it was played, however the ball failed to travel into the box so whats the rules say? You may think it was harsh seeing it but I think it was a pen. The kick was given by ref Derek Taylor much to the complaints of Thistle captain Cruickshanks and Thistles title charge was looking to take a potential serious dent. However, step forward veteran Jags keeper Steven Morris. The kick was struck well into the corner by Stuart Wright but Mo got down superbly to his right to get a solid hand to it with the rebound being cleared off the line by Cruickshanks. The Thistle captain following the ball in brilliantly to clear.A huge let off for Thistle. The Jags then went an inch away from taking the lead when a Stewart corner was met well by Blakey but his header crashed off the post. They were a different team from the first half and were playing bonnie fitba at times, well as much as the bobbly Westfield Park would allow. A great move saw Moffatt evade a few challenges out wide sending the ball to Donald who put his effort down Brocks throat and going by the reaction of the striker he knew it was a huge chance too. Although Thistle were far more intense they were still guilty of waiting on the ball leading to losses of possession and finding themselves under pressure. Pressure that never came to anything. Thistle did have another big chance before the end when Moffatt was in space on 18 yards, with time for a touch he took it first time and sent the ball well wide. With his recent form I would have bet my kids he would have finished it.But that wasnt it for the games action as a mix up at the back from Thistle saw BOD man Wright nip in, the onrushing Morris stopped the first effort with his hands with the ball landing at the home striker again, the forward hit it first time straight into the Ellon keeper’s face. A great save, they all count whether your hands, your bollocks or in this case your face. Another huge late save from Mo in two games. These moments like his penalty save could be invaluable in a couple of weeks time. Two points dropped you might think. For me, a usually ultra negative type it’s a point gained. Especially with AC Mill Inn Academy losing 2 v 1 to Rattrays XI tonight. Exciting times ahead especially with the top two still to play eachother.
*The low sun made photos as good as pointless off a phone
Entrance– Free
Attendance – 37
Pie – N/A
Pint – N/A
FITBAWBAG 