Glenury Park, NOSFL Premier League, 19/5/26
Stonehaven Football Club
Founded – 1919
Nickname – The Hive
Honours – North of Scotland League Premier Division – 2025/26. North East Premier Division – 1989/90 and 1993/94 . North Region First Division – 2021/22. North East Division One – 1988/89. Morrison Trophy – 1981/82, 1984/85, 2009/10, and 2021/22. North Regional Cup -1990/91 and 2012/13. Duthie Cup – 1963/64, 1968/69 and 1993/94. McLeman Cup – 1972/73, 1987/88, 1994/95 and 2011/12. Aberdeen & District Junior League Cup – 1962/63, 1963/64. Jimmy Gibb Memorial Trophy – 1989/90.
Random Fact – More game related than club. Wee Man’s first ever live fitba experience was a reverse of this fixture in April 2018. What a can of worms that opened.
A visit to the newly crowned champions of the NOSFL Premier League was always on the cards tonight. However, we didnt know if the club would have been crowned prior or not. To be honest we fancied seeing it happen, but as we were in the Netherlands on Saturday we missed it . What we did know was this fixture down the coast was to be attended as it was a chance to see high flying Stonehaven again this season. A team I credited as being one of the best I had seen this year after witnessing them take Dyce apart 1 v 5 at Ian Mair Park earlier in the season. This came in September and since then the Hive have not seen defeat in the league. In fact they haven’t seen defeat since prior to that , since Bridge of Don Thistle headed south to scud them 0 v 4 on the 19th of August. 22 games since a league defeat. That’s some effort, especially when it is a run of amassing 64 of 66 available points. Including a a current 20 game winning streak.
As we left our house the sky was reasonably clear, but by the time we hit the AWPR it was clear we were to get drenched in Stonehaven. This was to be the case and to be honest it was the biggest soaking we have been dished out in a long long time, but as always the Wee Man wanted his obligatory kickabout which meant the incoming cloudburst from the North Sea well and truly got us through every layer including our rain jackets which both gave up the ghost during the evening.
In terms of the game we both fancied a few Stonehaven goals . We were well.off the mark in the end. Maybe on another day this would have been the case but they were wasteful especially in the first half. Their ball retention was excellent as was their ability to pick passes through the smallest of gaps. Long balls did not exist with the Hive all night and they were good to watch when knocking it about but they just did not seem to have the finishing touch with numerous missed chances and even at times taking the wrong option of a shot. Robertshaw in the Colony goal had saves to make but nothing more than routine. Colony on the other hand were a bit more direct with their play and it was owed to this they took the lead, this with a helping hand from a slip from Stoney defender Clark Robertson (i think) on the sodden surface allowed Cameron Fraser to strike an effort across Reece Duncan’s goal and into the side of the net. A surprise in this tale after 25 minutes. Not long after Stonehaven were given a chance to level things up when the referee pointed to the spot. This for a tackle which looked good from where we were but I heard the referee mention the “follow through”. Didn’t see it myself but we were at the opposite side of the park, as were the Colony bench who were frenetic with the decision on the side line. Rob Armstrong stepped up but Robertshaw pulled off a sound save to keep the spot kick out. The Hive squandered another couple of chances before the half ended which seemed to be a theme of the nights proceedings.
HT 0 v 1
The second half from a neutral point of view was a better watch. Although with Colony in the lead the first half was one sided from a Hive perspective. This was a lot more even. The first chance of the half fell to Hive man Dylan Shaw who had found himself in behind the defence. Surely a shot was the option but he squared it giving Colony a chance to recover and block. Was the theme of the first half to continue? Not really as the equaliser came moments later when after a blocked shot, Cameron Beattie was on hand to quickly strike the rebound into the net. Did it take a wee nick on the way to goal. Quite possibly given Robertshaw’s reaction. Both Wee Man and I thought the home side would kick on from here but it was not the case. They had an effort cleared off the line but the two biggest chances in the remainder of the game fell for the men from Inverurie. The first being controversial when a through ball saw a foot race between Colony man Blair Smith and Hive defender Scott Coull, with the forward winning, the home defender grabbed clumps of shirt on more than one occasion to slow him and the chance was blown. I said the Colony bench were frenetic earlier, well this time was that plus 10. I could see where they were coming from too. There was definitely a foul or two or perhaps even three. The second chance also fell to Smith who this time was clean through and no hands all over him. it looked a cert for a goal and a shock win in the last minute, but step forward Hive keeper Reece Duncan who pulled off the moment of the match. As Smith was bearing down the keeper was off his line like a whippet and just at the correct moment made himself huge like something Peter Schmeichel would have done in the past, while not only blocking the shot, he managed to hold on to the ball too. A superb save which kept his teams unbeaten run in tact. One thing I loved about this moment was, as Duncan came off his line, I heard Wee Man say “come on keeper” , he is a fully fledged member of the goalkeepers union these days and always wants keepers to come out on top. I like that. Anyway that save kept this incredible unbeaten run together for the Hive. One game to go, could it be 24 without defeat next Tuesday v Buchanhaven Hearts? Colony Park on the other hand may be finished league wise tonight, but still have the Pizza Cup final on the 29th of the month
Entrance – Me £8, Wee Man Free
Attendance – 44
Pie – £9.50, pie, coffee, Stoney Sookers x 2 and KitKat
Pint – N/A
Score Predictions – Me 3 v 0, Wee Man 4 v 0
Season Score Predictions Total– Me 3 v 3 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 