North Lodge, Highland Football League, 30/7/25
Me still 352
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.
A bonus game this as I didnt expect to be anywhere near home or North Lodge at kick off. On my tod, sans Wee Man I was looking forward to this as it was going to be a tight affair. Formartine looking to make amends for what many have said was two points dropped v the Broch on Saturday and the Locos looking to brush themselves down and get points on the board after what was a scudding from Clach, I couldnt envisage anything but a close one. Thats exactly what transpired. Not a derby that will live long in the memory but United won’t care a jot.
After a swift pint, the usual chat with Paulzy that occurs at NL and seeing an ild school mate for the first time in years, i perched myself behind the Meldrum side goals where I was to witness two pretty even sides. First thing of note was the strapping to the knee of Locos keeper Zack Ellis and on top of that the hampered movement of the last seasons HFL keeper of the season. I may have been imagining it but he looked to have a bit of a hobble on. It didn’t seem to affect his game though.The game was more in Formartine’s favour in the first half with large chunks of possession being at the feet of the men in black. But creation wise there was very little. The first chance of the game came from the Locos when Ethan Cairns smashed a top corner bound ping at goal. Formartine keeper Stuart McKenzie got across smart and tipped it over. Tidy effort and save too. The same two were involved again mid-half when a ball over the top to Cairns saw McKenzie come haring off his line but got it all wrong and looked to have gifted the Locos striker a goal. Cairns took the ball past McKenzie but dallied on it and then some more allowing the Formartine defence to reset but more importantly McKenzie to recover. I cannot fathom what he was thinking, just hit it min. A huge chance wasted. At the other end Rory McAllister wasnt to waste his first chance of the game when he brilliantly put the home side into the lead. A superb Ritchie chipped ball into the corner found Murison, instead of sending the ball into the box he heard the screams of McAllister at the apex of the area. A reverse pass through two defenders found the veteran striker who took a touch then whipped a left footed effort across goal and into the top corner. From where I was standing next to the goal helped highlight how magic a strike it was as Ellis is a big unit and was not even a yard off his line. There really wasnt a huge target to hit to get it over the Locos keeper and in but he managed it fantastically. The first of his Highland League career.
HT 1 v 0
With the darkness creeping in early doors and fast these days the wee kids sidey on the training pitch that always takes place during Formartine games was losing its visibility. Credit and respect to whoever at Formartine had the 50p for the meter for the training lights as they were flicked on allowing the kids to continue. Actively encouraging kids to have a kick about. Top work that. The second half saw Locos get more of a foot hold in terms of possession but there wasnt a huge amount of action. The best chance of the half was from the Locos when a multipass move found Callum Duncan at the edge of the box, the full back lashed the ball at goal but McKenzie pulled off his second fine save of the match to keep it out. The game got a bit scrappy and niggly as the second half grew. Was one goal enough for United to hold on to? The answer obviously being yes and it was aided by an arguably man of the match performance from Rhys Thomas. The man with his socks at his ankles and shinguards the size of a paracetamol (if he he had any that is) was very good on the night. A very sound ability to read the game and seemed to be everywhere when needed to make a challenge. I say it was “arguably”, this because Hamish Ritchie was also bloody good. What an engine this guy has, complete with an eye for a pass. He will be a great addition at North Lodge, that’s already clear. United did have the ball in the net again when substitute Julian Wade slid on to a Ritchie cross from the left sticking it into the bottom corner but the man from the Dominican Republic was adjudged offside. A few nasty and meaty challenges were thrown about but the home side held on to take the derby bragging rights. Not a classic by any stretch thats for sure. The big question of the night was, with the game finishing at 21.51, was it possible to get into Pitmedden before 22.00 to get beers from the shop?
Entrance – £12
Attenance – 420 (Rough Head Count)
Pie – £5.50, Pie, coffee and Snickers
Pint – £3.50, Tennent’s, Club Bar
FITBAWBAG 