REPORT:-
We had
a pool of 16 players gathered at the Dee Motel ready for the most important game
in the clubs history. The Cup Final was to be played at Blairs College on the
lower Deeside Road. The weather was excellent and we had high hopes of a big
crowd coming out to make their presence felt. We arrived at Blairs and the team
was read out. Craig Wood had come along in case we were short for any reason but
knew he would only figure in the team plans if the regular players couldn’t
make it. This left 15 boys ready and fit to play and after a lot of thought
Keith and Ian were the unlucky duo left out of the Cup Final 13. Stuart made it
quiet clear the way the game was to be approached and so we got changed and made
our way to the pitch, to be met by an amazing crowd of around 100-150 strong
with 100-120 of them on our line!! Photos were taken by a round 6 or 7 different
people before the match kicked off with us playing down the slope we played in
our usual 4-4-2 formation as the pitch was so big 4 men were required in
midfield and 2 wide midfilders had to work as extra forwards down the flank. We
started very well, closing Aboyne down quickly and never letting them get into
any stride. Paul Johnson was working hard on the right and sent Ali away, his
cross being caught by the keeper. Aboyne broke forward and won a corner which we
cleared with out too much bother. We started to string things together one good
move starting with Steven inside to Stuart who moved it right to Mark Wood. He
in turn found Paul Johnson who over hit a ball down the wing aimed for Ali. A
long through ball by Aboyne saw keeper Paul Dash outside his box to head clear
before Mark Michie was pulled up twice for pulling. Stuart fouled their keeper
at a corner then Craig was sent clear and wasted the best chance so far when he
blasted high and wide. Kevin Smith acting as spongeman had been kept buys and
Andy went down just before HT (0-0) right from the start we looked the better
side but were forced into a change when Andy was clattered in the first minute.
Bob taking over we won a corner on the right and the cross was headed back into
the goal mouth by Gary Longmuir. Craig got a foot to it and his shot came back
off the foot of the post. We didn’t have things all our own way, Aboyne
pursuing hard down the slope, but in truth Paul never was forced into a save.
Stuart nicked the ball off the centres foot inside the 6 yard box in 60 minutes,
then Paul came out of his box to boot clear. Mark Michie was doing well against
the centre but we were a bit disjointed as Aboyne moved their forwards about
leaving Steven with no one to cover. We took the lead into mins when little Gary
Tough was sent away. He ran forward then clipped a shot over the keeper. A
desperate attempt to clear by a defender failed. The crowd went ape!!! Neil
replaced Steven and straight away headed clear. Bob hurried a shot over the bar
and by now Aboyne with their sweeper in attack were throwing every thing at us.
We held firm and Paul Johnson had a good shot saved. Right on full time we
survived a corner conceded by Mark Wood. Full time and we had done it!!! Our
first trophy in 15 years, one which on the night, we richly deserved. We battled
well, closing down the opposition with all 13 players doing their bit. What a
fantastic end to the season with the LA Fair Play trophy ours as well. Two
trophies give us the perfect spring board for more success next season…. Well
done everybody!!
PICT's:-