Jim Glennie Park, AAFA Division 1 (East), 17/5/25
Me still 343, Wee Man 206
AC Mill Inn Academy Football Club
Founded – 2021
Nickname – Nae actually sure if they have one
Honours – Barclay Cook Cup – 2021/22. Dickie Trophy 2021/22. Hans Fyfe Trophy – 2022/23
Random Fact – The club are not actually linked with AC Mill Inn these days
Then it was the final game. Nothing but victory would do. If I am honest, I was incredibly nervous as we were heading down to Stoney today. Again this a sign of the times in my fitba watching habits these days. What was happening at Tannadice was not even in my mind. Today was all about my old team Ellon Thistle. All about my Dad. All about Tichie Birnie, Les Forbes, Menace, Mo and everyone involved. The league title may have been out of their hands, however the win was imperative to keep the hopes alive and I think my nerves were clear to Wee Man too given his constant. “You ok?” type questions.
As we were down in Stoney pretty early we went for a wander and some chips complete with the obligatory pint. At the Ship Inn I bumped into parents of a good pal of years gone by who I had not seen in yonks. A fine wee addition to the day with reminiscing of the daft behaviour of us young loons back in the day. A cracking start to the afternoon. An ice cream followed as it would be remiss not to do so when in a sun kissed Stonehaven. The longish walk back took us across Mineralwell Park and past the cricket which sees Cowie Thistle hampered with when they can play home games come late in the season.Something that is very topical today as fellow league challengers with ACMIA and Ellon Thistle, Rattrays XI have similar issues at Rubislaw. This meaning the last day shoot out was spread over today and Monday.
As we reached Jim Glennie Park there was the same game on the go which was on when we got there. Was it extra time? Turned out it was. This delaying kick off meaning the kick about had to be on the adjacent grass. What started out as Wee Man and me led to Thistle die hard Jock and club photo mannie Russell joining in. Good fun. Then it was business time and bloody hell Thistle clearly meant business. They were a superb watch from the minute they kicked of in the scorching heat to the echo of the Bankies Ultras drum at the adjacent Glenury Park (Stonehaven JFC were hosting Sunnybank) . They had the ball down and played some really bonnie fast paced fitba. The first few minutes saw a couple of corners for the home side but there is nothing much more to say about the boys in pink . Ellon wanted this more and it was clear. Once they realised the ACMIA centre halves were gobbling up anything high, the balls changed to corner balls for Moffat and Misacas to run on to and it was working. This while Ryan Webster spoiled any potential moves attempted by the home side and full back Brodie Stewart putting in a prime Roberto Carlos like performance. It was the full back who set the ball rolling for Thistle when after a brilliant corner on top of keeper Bentinck the ball was cleared for another kick. Again Stewart sent it straight at Bentinck who did not come allowing Tom Blakey to barge through a pile of bodies to smash in a header. This warmly welcomed by Thistle fans and Rattrays XI players and committee (a decent number in attendance). Thistle didnt let up and kept at the Stoney side and soon grabbed a second. Again starting from the left peg of Stewart who had burst up the line to send a ball across the 6 yard box, Bentinck hesitated and the ball found Michael Moffat’s head at the back post. This was like a blitzkrieg. Thistle were rampant . But although Ellon were by far the better team they werent without a scare, this when Dylan Merchant was in far too much space but Ellon keeper pulled off a solid save. Thistle then made it three when a ball over the top dropped in the box, Bentinck seemed glued to his line again and once he decided to go for the ball Blakey was already in to lob the keeper. 0 v 3 and cruising. This was a stunning performance from Ellon but they blotted their copy book when Josh Rae(number 78, eh) was in far too much space in the area, his effort was tame but it took a nick leaving Morris stranded watching the ball trickle into the net. The goal coming in the last minute of the half.
HT 1 v 3
Half time kick about was brief as it is with amateur fitba but it ended with a bit of banter with the Rattrays XI guys…..or one day Ellon Thistle Ultras as it was. The reason being they needed Thistle to win to eliminate any ACMIA hopes of winning the league. All good craic to be fair. I nipped over to the Juniors to get a coffee and a packet of Stonehaven JFC sweeties as the half kicked off but in the four minutes I missed I was informed ACMIA were on top. This was to continue to be the patter for a spell amd Thistle were a bit all at sea at times. They could not keep the ball. On top of this midfielder Jamie Cowell looked a real danger. The main man for the home side. What a difference a goal makes. But Thistle soon settled all nerves when Moffat broke through, when bearing down on goal he could have easily taken on the shot himself but decided to square it to newly introduced sub Ross Fraser who had a tap into an empty goal. A superb piece of unselfishness from Moff who was chasing the Thistle top scorer award for the season. As it went in you saw the ACMIA heads drop in unison. From here the home side were nowhere to be seen. They were bust and Ellon had done their part in the last (3) day shoot out. But they were not finished. Subs were made including Euan Watson who to date I have been very impressed with when I have seen him. A very direct wide man and it was no surprise to see him with his first touch send a great ball to Moffat who buried an effort across goal as you would not expect nothing less. Was he top scorer now, was he joint, the maths needs to be done. But the maths were not needed to count the score in sun beaten Stonehaven. Ellon had five to the hosts one and this put them back to the summit. But would this be permanent. As they players left the pitch it was good to hear the ACMIA guys wishing Thistle all the best while there was a bit of craic between the Rattrays guys and Ellon. This while I was being heavily critiqued on a previous match report by an ACMIA guy. I just tell it as it is. Even Thistle dont get away from criticism. But today, there is no criticism. Especially Brodie Stewart who was a man possessed amd scooped all seven committee man of the match votes and rightly so.
Going back to my rants about fitba and any levels of the game being able to entertain despite critics of the lower levels, or football snobs as they are better known. This season has been ace following this bunch. Amateur fitba puts you through the ringer, every emotion seems to have been brought out. Even more so than Aberdeen have done to me this year. For the first time since before Covid a team other than Banks o’ Dee have been viewed the most, the Jags of Ellon. It has been magic and I get to hang out with my old boy and a host of fantastic folk. Hopefully there is still one last celebration at a final whistle to go. All roads lead to Rubislaw. Chwała chwała Polska!
Entrance – Free
Attendance – 74
Pie – Nipped over to the Juniors £3, coffee and sweeties
Pint – £4.70, Tennents, The Ship Inn
Score Predictions – Me 1 v 2, Wee Man 0 v 2
Season Score Prediction Totals – Me 5 v 4 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 