Bridge of Don Thistle win 4 v 5 on penalties
Lochside Park, Grill Cup 1/2 Final, 28/11/25
Me still 360 , Wee Man still 217
Hermes Junior Football Club
Founded – 1968
Nickname – N/A
Honours – NRJFA Superleague – 2011/12 and 2014/15. North East Division One– 1994/95. Grill League Cup – 2003/04 and 2024/25 North Regional Cup – 1997/98 and 2003/04. McLeman Cup – 2008/09. Morrison Trophy – 1993/94 and 1996/97
Lochside Park has three big plus points to it. The first being floodlights, these pylons obviously giving the chance for night time games in winter. Then you have the fine steak pies. Always a bonus. Finally, there is the proximity to the Mill of Mundurno where we make a habit of getting fed in pre Hermes visits. This as the food is never a miss there. All three were taken advantage of tonight, including a pie which I really didn’t need after having fish and chips at the Mill which resembled a Megalodon size wise. But most importantly, a Friday night cup semi final under the lights was too appealing to miss.
I say too appealing, to be honest the first half was a total non-event and I am sure anyone in attendance whether a punter like Wee Man and me, League head honcho Brian Johnston standing next to us, the players or either dugouts will surely agree. The home side didn’t record a shot on target with Thistle having two attempts from Celmiro Mussunda being saved with ease by home keeper Corbett. It was two teams concentrating on not losing as opposed to trying to win. That’s how it seemed to me. A disappointing half of football from two of the leagues heavyweights.
HT 0 v 0
As we had the obligatory kick about next to the changing rooms I fully expected to hear some bawling from the managers of both teams emanating from the wooden clubhouse. I was wrong and we could not hear a peep from Steven Watson or Jamie Watt. Turns out it was not needed as the second half was entirely different and a highly enjoyable watch where both teams had a good go. The polar opposite from the first 45. Bridge of Don had a big chance go a begging in the first minute when Kyle Gauld was a handful of yards out only to see his effort tamely land in the hands of Corbett. The BoD man seemed to get under the ball rather than through it. The visitors in black were the better team in the opening exchanges but football doesn’t always run with the better team and tonight was no different as Hermes took the lead through a brilliant move. A precision long ball from the back (missed who played it) found Jack Craig down the right. The forward headed for goal before arrowing an effort past Salmon from maybe 12 yards. A superb goal and if the ball playing defender is reading, an absolutely exquisite pass (whoever you are). The game needed the goal and it also needed the flurry of bookings that was dished out. The match may have took its time to raise itself from it’s slumber but once it was going it was a very decent watch. One became two when a long punt found Craig again who brilliantly lashed a first time effort past Salmon from the apex of the box on the right. What a finish it was and to be fair I clapped it too despite it busting my score prediction. Hermes were looking good in their quest to retain the Grill Cup. But the deficit was halved soon after the second when a spill from Corbett landed at the feet of Harvey Yeats who melted the ball off the bar and in. Looked a bad one for the keeper who will surely be raging with himself. Game on in what was turning into a cracking battle. Bridge of Don were taking the game to Hermes who while defending very well (Craig Mackie the big centre half being a fine player for the record) had no out ball to speak off as goalscorer Craig had been replaced. This meant that as soon as the ball was cleared it was coming straight back at them as nothing was sticking further up the field. Finally after numerous attacks something gave and it was via a Hermes hand. Not sure who’s hand but you could see it from our perch at the other end of the park. Looked stonewall and there didnt seem to be a huge amount of Hermes complaints. Findlay Johnston took the kick, equalising and breaking Wee Man’s heart as he was certain he was away to get his second correct score in two matches. Was there enough time to go and win it for Bridge of Don? It almost happened if not for a sharp save with his foot by Corbett from a deflected effort in the dying embers. To penalties it went. With a full compliment of successful kicks from Bridge of Don combined with a save from Ross Salmon the visitors sent themselves through to the final against either Stonehaven or Dyce at the Balmoral Stadium in a couple of weeks ending any Hermes hopes of cup retention.
Entrance – £10 for both(cheaper than it should have been)
Attendance – 151 (rough head count)
Pie – £4.50 , pie, coffee, crisps
Pint – £4.75 Tennent’s, Mill of Mundurno
Score Predictions – Me 1 v 3, Wee Man 2 v 1
Season Score Predictions Total – Me 3 v 1 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 