Report By Dave Strath

The early decision to switch this Scottish Amateur Cup 5th Rd Replay to the All Weather pitch at Kaimhill proved to be spot on with the overnight frost on Friday again decimating the local minor football programme.

Echt’s progress in this tie was badly hampered due to unavailability and late call offs. When their line up was announced it included only five players who had featured in the starting eleven in Oban the previous week.

The opening exchanges were fairly even with both sides probably adjusting to the all weather surface. Alan Douglas moved forward right side in the 8th minute and fed Marc Lawrence on the edge of the Oban box but the parting shot was easily gathered by visiting keeper Douglas.

Echt successfully defended an Oban 20 yard free kick in 15 minutes and likewise a throw hurled into their six yard box by big frontman Gemmill, a ploy that had been continually used in the 2-2 draw in Oban and again repeated throughout this match.

Alan Daun and Andy Davidson won Echt a left side flag kick in 18 minutes and with the visitors temporarily on the backfoot, a defender just won the aerial battle with Echt’s Douglas on an inviting Stuart Cooper cross two mins later.

The visitors started to settle on the ball and were gaining a good foothold in the game and the Echt rearguard were being asked serious questions.

Oban broke the deadlock in 23 minutes when the ball was worked across the Echt 18 yard box, right to left, Gemmill got to the bye line and lifted a great delivery across goal for the unmarked Millar at the far post to easily head past Paul Bennett.

Oban doubled their lead when Echt conceded a second in 26 minutes whilst defending against the long Gemmill throw in from the left they managed to get the ball clear as far as the right edge of the penalty box junction where McCauley gained possession, side stepped an attempted challenge, and rifled a great finish across Bennett into the far corner for 0-2.

Another major setback for Echt came just before the half hour mark, when big striker Greg Kane broke down, having just returned from injury, and had to be replaced by Jamie Gill.

The home side were pushing forward at every opportunity but real goal scoring opportunities never really materialised against a no-nonsense Oban defence and the visitors were ever dangerous on the break.

Half-time: 0 – 2

As at the start of the fixture the opening exchanges were fairly even, with of course the next goal going to be absolutely crucial.

Oban broke at pace in 55 minutes when D Campbell set up MacEwen who was unmarked in front of goal six yards out. With only Bennet to beat the striker squandered a glorious chance by failing to hit target.

Echt’s fate was sealed in 57 minutes when D Campbell in a central position, raced onto a through ball and clinically fired past Bennett for Oban’s third.

The closest Echt came to a consolation counter was in 62 minutes and again in 68 minutes with two well struck 40 yd efforts from Skipper Alan Douglas. The first his namesake in the Oban goal, at full length, pushed round his right hand post; the second his left hand post.

Newcomer Stuart Bennett replaced Martin McGillivray for the final 17 minutes and a decent Scott Aberdein effort flew over the Oban crossbar late on but the Echt Scottish Cup campaign unfortunately had been well and truly grounded.

The deserved victors Oban were left to lock horns with Cambusbarron Rovers in another away tie for them next week.

Full Time: 0 – 3

Echt: P Bennett, Graham, Cooper, A Davidson,Aberdein, G Milne, McGillivray, Douglas,Kane, Lawrence, Daun. Subs: Gill, S Bennett, L Milne, V Roger

Ties to be  played on Saturday 11th February

A hat-trick from Woodside’s Brian Forbes ensured his side remained at the top of the Premier Division after a 6-3 victory over rivals Kincorth at Kincorth Academy.

Kincorth were in confident mood before the game following their marathon 10-9 penalty shoot-out victory against Dee Amateurs two weeks ago and their 5-3 win over Great Western United last week.

The fierce wind was to become an important factor throughout the match with Kincorth electing to play down the slope with the wind assisting them in the 1st half. Kincorth’s Chris Higgins wasted no time in making his sides intentions known with a fierce shot straight from the kick off.

The rivalry between the two teams was showing and the importance of the top of the table clash resulting in some fierce challenges as both teams strived for dominance. Kincorth continued to push for the first goal and came close from a Mark Hutchins header on 10 minutes.

Woodside’s first attack resulted in the match’s first goal when Brian Forbes clinically dispatched a well worked move from the Woodside midfield.

Kincorth immediately fought back with further chances for Jamie Buchan and commanding centre back, Chris Higgins. Kincorth’s Paul Bowman then grabbed his sides 1st goal after a wind assisted cross from Tony Livingstone deceived the Woodside goalkeeper leaving a simple tap in for Bowman.

On 40 minutes, the temperature of the game was raised when a strong challenge from Woodside’s Nicholas Ferguson resulted in a booking for the player. This seemed to galvanize Kincorth and their constant pressure paid off when Mark Hutchins made it 2-1 to his side. Hutchins pounced when Woodside’s Douglas Gibb hesitated in clearing the ball and made no mistake in finishing under the despairing goalkeeper before half time.

Woodside were now playing downhill with the wind behind them and immediately caused Kincorth problems with the pace and skill of Brian Forbes and James Simpson. It was Simpson who leveled the match at 2-2 with a great individual run giving him the opportunity of sliding the ball past Willox in the Kincorth goal from a tight angle

An incisive break from Kincorth’s Paul Durrand resulted in Woodside’s Douglas Gibb to make a strong challenge on the edge of his box. This forced the referee to make a vital decision on whether it was a professional foul or not and to the dismay of the Kincorth touchline, Gibb was only given a yellow card.

With the game still level at 2-2, Woodside’s James Simpson had several good chances but could not convert, however, on 65 minutes, a corner from Woodside fell to Brian Neil on the edge of the box who struck a fierce shot past Paul Willox in the Kincorth goal to send the Woodside touchline into ecstatic celebrations.

Another well worked move from Woodside left the Kincorth defence isolated and outnumbered and James Simpson neatly chipped Willox to make it 4-2 to Woodside.

On 80 minutes, Kincorth grabbed a 3rd goal to make the last 10 minutes a very tense affair. A high ball caused confusion in the Woodside defence and left Kincorth’s Paul Bowman unmarked to side foot the ball low and hard past the Woodside goalkeeper.

The influence of James Simpson again made the difference as he turned provider for Brian Forbes who sealed Woodside’s victory with his side’s fifth and sixth goal to complete his hat-trick.

Saints had taken the lead after 11 minutes through D Campbell after a long clearance by his keeper which had deceived the Echt defence leaving Milne in the Echt goal exposed to a one on one which was converted by Campbell.

There was no more scoring in the first half and Echt had Milne to thank at the restart when he managed to save a netbound shot with his right foot.

Oban were pushing for a second and were unlucky when Kerr curled a shot from the edge of the box just past the junction of post and bar.

Echt finally got a foot in the game from a ball delivered by Wood went over the last defender and a diving header by Presslie beat Douglas in the home goal.

Echt increased their lead in 80 minutes when a flighted freekick into the Saints box was met by Echt’s Douglas who clipped the ball forward and one bounce later he got his head on the ball to send it past his advancing namesake and into the net.

Four minutes from the end Oban pushed everyone forward and were rewarded when defender Craik’s shot in a crowded box was deflected past the despairing Milne.

Echt progressed to the fifth round of the Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup after a convincing 3-0 win over Wallacetoun AFC from Ayrshire.

The much anticipated clash was a welcome boost for both teams as the fixture had previously been postponed three times.

Echt started the brighter of the two teams with a number of well-worked moves in a strong wind. A tempting cross from Echt’s Andy Davidson presented Alan Douglas with a free header which flew over the crossbar.

After a slow start, Wallacetoun began to gain confidence after 15 minutes with Steven McNeil using his height and strength to dictate play from the centre of midfield.

Further pressure forced Echt to commit several fouls at the edge of their area, however, the Ayrshire side never tested Paul Bennett in the Echt goal.

Wallacetoun almost conceded a bizarre goal on 25 minutes when Echt’s Mark Lawrence delivered an inviting cross, only for the Wallacetoun goal keeper to almost punch the ball into his own net.

This sparked belief throughout the Echt squad with chances created by the impressive Darren McLeod and Ian Leith before half time.

Half-time: 0-0

Echt started the second half just as they had finished the first with a free header from Echt’s Paul Presslie went inches over the crossbar leaving the Echt touchline wondering how the game was still level at 0-0.

Two great saves by the Wallacetoun goalkeeper and a shot cleared off the line were to follow as Wallacetoun continued to hold out and frustrate Echt.

The first goal was eventually scored after 65 minutes. The pace and skill of Echt’s Mark Lawrence presented him with the chance of rounding the Ayrshire goalkeeper and to calmly finish from a tight angle.

Wallacetoun appeared to tire and were now playing against the strong wind which was present throughout the match. Echt’s ever present forward, Ian Leith, scored his side’s second goal after clinically dispatching a low shot past the unfortunate goalkeeper.

A penalty was then awarded just before full-time when a strong challenge from Wallacetoun’s Graham Cross presented Alan Douglas with the chance of scoring Echt’s third goal of the match. The Echt captain neatly finished to round off an impressive display and to ensure Echt’s place in the fifth round of the Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup.

Echt AFC secretary, Dave Strath said: “It was a hard but deserved win.”

Fourth Round

Echt v Cove Thistle
Ellon Amateurs v University
Kemnay or Newburgh Thistle v Rothie Rovers or Newtonhill
Mearns United v Sportsmans Club or Insch
Nicolls Amateurs v Bon Accord City
St Laurence or Stoneywood Amateurs v Alford
Westdyke v Glendale
Woodside v Newmachar United

Quarter-Final

Echt or Cove Thistle v Ellon Amateurs or University
Kemnay Youth or Newburgh Thistle or Rothie Rovers or Newtonhill v Woodside or Newmachar United
Mearns United or Sportsmans Club or Insch v Nicolls Amateurs or Bon Accord City
St Laurence or Stoneywood Amateurs or Alford v Westdyke or Glendale

Colin’s Tyres Association Trophy

Quarter-Final

AC Mill Inn or Cowie Thistle or Dyce ITC Hydraulics v West End or Sportsmans Club
Great Western United or Mearns United or Stoneywood Amateurs v Newtonhill or Blackburn or Westdyke
Halliburton v Kincorth
Woodside or Luthermuir v Cove Thistle or Old Aberdonians

Semi-Final

Halliburton or Kincorth v Woodside or Luthermuir or Cove Thistle or Old Aberdonians
Great Western United or Mearns United or Stoneywood Amateurs or Newtonhill or Blackburn or Westdyke v AC Mill Inn or Cowie Thistle or Dyce ITC Hydraulics or West End or Sportsmans Club

Colin’s Tyres Dickie Trophy

Quarter-Final

Alford v Hazlehead United
Bervie Caley v Dee Amateurs
Glentanar Reflex v Scotstown Rovers
JS XI v St Laurence

Semi-Final

Bervie Caley or Dee Amateurs v JS XI or St Laurence
Glentanar Reflex or Scotstown Rovers v Alford or Hazlehead United

Ties to be played on or before Saturday 17th December.

Ellon Amateurs clinched a 5-0 win over Trophies International in the third round of the Aberdeen FC Trophy at Beach Park, Balmedie.

Strong winds caused both sides difficulty throughout the match. Trophies International started the stronger of the two teams.

On five minutes, a well worked move by Trophies resulted in a fierce shot by striker Ian Clark who came agonisingly close to opening the scoring. This was a signal of intent by Trophies International who created further good chances without troubling Andrew Dickinson in the Ellon goal.

A floated ball in from Ellon Amateurs midfielder Martin Buchan caused panic in the Trophies defence resulting in a penalty kick being awarded to Ellon. Against the run of play, Trophies defender Darren Hutton was adjudged to have fouled the impressive Fraser Thomson in trying to head the ball away from goal. Ellon’s Craig Smith calmly side footed the ball into the net to give his side a 1-0 lead.

Several good chances were to follow for Trophies International. Commanding centre back Darren Hutton had several free headers from set plays but couldn’t convert for the Balmedie side.

After half an hour, Ellon Amateurs snatched a second goal. Tireless centre forward James Bain was the only player to react to a through ball and on his second attempt coolly netted past the unlucky Keith Sinclair despite appeals for offside.

A strong challenge by Trophies Ritchie Burke highlighted both his and his team’s anger at Ellon’s two controversial goals.

Ellon Amateurs pushed hard for a third goal before half time forcing Trophies goalkeeper, Keith Sinclair, to make several good saves.

Ellon started the second half the stronger of the two teams and dominated possession. Sensing the importance of a third goal, Ellon winger, Fraser Thomson, fought off four players before unleashing a unstoppable shot past Sinclair in goal to make it 3-0.

A fourth goal for Ellon Amateurs came shortly after when Andrew Dickinson picked out James Bain from a goal kick who neatly finished to get his second goal of the game.

Trophies International never gave up hope and created a great opportunity when Michael Gove spotted the run of Ian Clark who was left one on one with Dickinson but lofted his shot over the bar.

As the match came to an end, Ellon midfielder Sam Barrett sealed the win by scoring a wonderful goal from twenty-five yards after good persistence from Ryan Sutherland.

Trophies International will be disappointed after missing good chances in the first half. To Ellon’s credit, they showed good composure to dominate the second half and close out the match.