Dufftown v Dyce Juniors FC

The Hoops travelled to Dufftown for what was a game very close to the must win category. Our last visit to Westburn Park at the end of last season was a shambolic affair, with the squad completely decimated, resulting in one of the management team starting. That day saw us 4-0 down at half time, finish the game with 9 men including skipper Mark having to go between the sticks and a 4-2 defeat. Much better was essential this time.
 
With all the rain that had fallen in Aberdeen it was a pleasant surprise at Westburn with the pitch perfectly playable, albeit it was a bit chilly. It was Dufftown who opened on the front foot, winning a couple of early corners which were well defended and cleared comfortably. Slowly but surely the hoops (playing in stripes for the day) worked their way back into things and grabbed the lead in the 25th minute. A free kick was swung in from the right and interim chief Mark BARTLET ghosted in unmarked and netted from 8 yards with the deftest of flicks. Both sides were battling hard with plenty effort, but neither keeper was being forced into much meaningful action. That was until the 40th minute when a corner was only half cleared and when it fell to Mark BARTLET 16 yards out his low left foot shot found the bottom corner to double the lead. He almost had a treble just before the break when he turned on the penalty spot and his low drive looked net bound until keeper McIntosh got down to make a fantastic save.
 
The second half followed much the same pattern, both sides having spells of possession but without a great deal of goalmouth action. Then out of nothing the home side grabbed a lifeline on the hour when a free kick wasn’t collected by Andy and sub JOHNSTON hooked the ball into the far corner to reduce the deficit. This may have caused panic in the away ranks but within a few minutes the two goal lead was restored. Adam McNAMEE latched on to a through ball and took a great touch to get the ball under control, rounded McIntosh and slotted in the third. This should have been enough to see the game out but with quarter of an hour left the Toonsers were back in it. President Norman had a feeling on the way up in the bus that GOGS would score with a header, and he was correct. Just a pity is was a spectacular diving header into his own net that gave Andy no chance. So it was game on again but we played out the final fifteen minutes, and sealed the win in the last of those. Mike Taylor was clean through and looked certain to net from 8 yards until he was brought down by Main, who received his marching orders. Mark BARTLET stepped up to slam the resultant penalty high into the net to confirm a most welcome 3 points.