Rubislaw, AAFA Division 1 (East), 14/5/25
Me still 343
Rattray’s XI Football Club
Founded – 1947
Nickname – Rats
Honours – AAFA Division 3 -1952/53. AAFA Division 2 -1953/54. AAFA Division 2 (East) 2015/16. Bowie Cup – 1990/91. Dickie Trophy – 2009/10. Stephen Shield – 2018/19.
Random Fact – The club are the longest serving club in the Aberdeenshire Amateur Football Association and have been there since day one
The Rubislaw derby under another fine May city sun*. With a guaranteed drubbing to take place three miles further east in the city, the Grammar playing fields were a better bet for a football fix. Plus this was much more important to me as it had significant ramifications to Ellon Thistle. A team playing for a title as opposed to chasing the second best losers spot in a pointless league.
I turned up a few minutes late as always on a Wednesday due to bath and bed times etc, and as I was walking down the path I heard the cheer of Rats grabbing their first through Wainwright. From here there were a couple of decent Rattrays chances carved out in quick succession .It was looking like Bon Accord were not going to do Ellon any favours. But they weathered the bit of a storm put their way with the game evening out and there did not seem to be much between the two sides. There was almost an embarrassing moment for the Rats keeper Neil Walker when Jack Leadbetter struck an effort at him low, the keeper got down well but somehow managed to let the ball squirm out his grap and over his body towards goal but luckily he was bailed out by a team mate on the line. Anything Walker could do his opposite number Ferguson could do better when he collected a cross from a set piece but dropped it managing to recover in the nick of time to recollect on the goal line. As it looked like it was going to be 1 v 0 to Rats at the break they were gifted a goal when Ricky Mennie scored direct from a corner despite plenty bodies on the line. A sickner for City and totally avoidable.
HT 2 v 0
I was joined by original 1968 Ellon Thistle man George Rennie who thought he would do some spying for his Thistle pal Tichie Birnie. As i was there doing the same he disappeared after 20 minutes blethering,this to watch the Aberdeen game on the box. Rather him than me. Soon after his departure Rats struck a third when David Daniele finished off a fine move with a trundler across goal into the far bottom corner. The ball from Mennie through to the Rats 8 was a delight to watch. With the third in, Jasper the big Wolf Hound seen at City games was offsky and I got to meet him this time. What a fine specimen on a dog, with a sound owner too. The highlight of my night for sure. As the sun started to lower the cold set in and my shorts and hoody seemed not enough but there was still some heat on the pitch with numerous fouls mostly from the home side still be pulled up. After a brief chat with Daz Calder of Rattrays and him telling me they have had 19 red cards this season and conceded 15 pens I can see why. But if they are consistently losing a man at least and on course for the title then fair play to them. It’s quite the effort to be honest. It was 4 v 0 when best player on the park Mennie curled an effort off Ferguson’s left post which rolled along the goal line and into the net at the opposite side. The final day shoot out for the title was confirmed. Bon Accord scored a consolation late on when Ryan Milne rose to nod a Lewis Ross corner in. A fine header but far too late in the game. Rattrays took the maximum points and deservedly so.
After tonight three teams can still win the league. Ellon Thistle have to beat AC Mill Inn Academy on Saturday and hope Polska beat Rattrays XI on Monday, thats the only scenario that matters to me, although there are others.
Amateur fitba is magic. Its been a great fight in Division 1 East. Hopefully even better come 20.35 on Monday night
Oh and low and behold, the shitebags were out in force down Pittodrie Street as expected.
Entrance – Free
Attendance – 17
Pie – N/A
Pint – N/A
*Photos hard to come by in the low sun
FITBAWBAG 