Report by Scott Mc Pherson

Woodside were looking to continue their great league form at home to University. Despite being one of few games to beat the freeze, the pitch looked in fine condition.

University started with a lone striker and 5 in midfield which indicated a conservative approach. However, that never materialised.

The away side slotted into the game much the better and could have taken the lead after 5 minutes. Nick Carlisle’s corner was headed towards goal by defender Mike Bruce which was kicked off the line by the man on the post.

University came close again, this time from open play. Winger Chris Reid’s in swinging cross agonisingly missed the foot of fellow winger Stephen Christmas and the far corner of the goal.

University playmaker Nick Carlisle was dictating the pace of the game and Woodside were restricted to counter attack opportunities at home, which would not have happened too many times this season.

The most likely route to goal for both teams looked like coming from a set piece and a long throw heralded Woodside’s first real chance of the game. Paul Main’s long throw was met by the head of striker of Bryan Forbes who hit the post from the edge of the 6 yard box.

Half-time: 0-0

Hard working University lone striker Raymond Utuk joined Forbes in hitting the woodwork at the start of the second half. Carlisle’s free kick was headed onto the bar by Utuk which fell to centre half Rob Hayes who failed to bundle the ball over the line.

If Woodside were going to score, it would be from the head of striker Forbes and that’s exactly what happened. A driven ball into the box was flicked on by the striker and nestled into the corner of the net. A great sign of champions is winning when not playing at your best and that’s exactly what Woodside were doing.

The goal spurred the league leaders into life and they went onto to create a number of good chances. Both Woodside strikers Forbes and Simpson had 1 on 1 opportunities but were both denied by University stopper Chris Ryan.

That reprieve seemed to fade quickly as their star man Carlisle pulled up with an innocuous looking injury which forced him off with 20 minutes to go. Despite the adversity they faced, University earned an unlikely draw.

The away side got the bit of fortune that their play deserved. With ten minutes remaining Uni’s Chris Reid drilled a cross-cum-shot across the box which was diverted past ‘keeper Thouless via the knee of Woodside defender Chris Buchan into his own net.

Woodside never really looked like re-taking the lead after that as University edged them out. Second place Westdyke will be delighted to see a somewhat surprising home draw from league leaders Woodside as they look to close the gap at the top of the table.

Full Time: 1-1

Woodside: Thouless, Allan, Buchan, Gibb, Forbes, Cronin, Neil, Main, Lepkowski. Thomson, Simpson. Subs: Marr, Ferguson, MacKenzie, Stewart, Davie

University: Ryan, Christmas, McKay, Bruce, Hayes, Reid, Smith, Meyrick, Utuk, Carlisle, Makaravicius, Subs: Damingoez, Whyte, Ellis, Lawerence, Edwards

The away side had the best of the early chances, however Caley always looked dangerous on the counter attack. The heavy pitch was taking it’s toll and in particular in the middle of the park, where nobody was getting any time on the ball.

Dee opened the scoring on the 34th minute after a surging run from Aitken led to him being fouled as he approached the penalty box. Will took the resultant free-kick and curled the ball around the Caley wall and into the bottom corner of the goals to put Dee 1-0 ahead.

The second half started with Dee playing down the slope and they added to their lead on the hour mark. A fantastic 30 yard pass from Bennett, released Hall at the edge of the box. He then cut In past the Caley centre-half and sent an unstoppable drive past the keeper to make it 2-0 to Dee.

On the 71st minute, Dee were reduced to 10 men when a 50-50 collision resulted in Aitken being sent off. This gave Caley the incentive and they tried hard to get on the scoresheet but they found goalkeeper Ross and his defenders in fine form as they battled hard to keep the Caley strikers at bay while Will and Wilson were looking dangerous on the break for Dee.

With 10 minutes left on the clock Caley pulled a goal back when a good move led to their striker driving the ball past Ross in goal to set up a nail biting finish. However, the away side coped well with everything thrown at them and despite playing out the last 20 minutes with 10 men they held out to claim their spot in the semi-final of the competition.

Cowie started the strongest and tried to play a passing game whilst Mill Inn were using the long ball and the windy conditions in an attempt to get behind the Cowie rearguard.

It was Cowie that took the lead midway through the first half although the goal itself did carry some luck when McDonald turned in the box and what appeared to be an attempted cross sailed over the Park and into the net.

Pressure was mounting on Mill Inn and Fraser, Adie and Ewan all had efforts on goal testing Park in the Mill Inn goal. It was one way traffic at this time and when Mill Inn did mount an attack the Cowie back line held strong and came close to doubling their score when a Watson’s effort crash off the post to safety.

As half time approached Valentine in the Cowie goal saw his first action of the game when a long range effort from Robb was held comfortably.

Mill Inn started the brighter in the second half and had an opportunity to equalise when Robertson was adjudged to control the ball with his hand and the referee awarded a penalty kick to the home team. Mill Inn captain Adam stepped up and confidently slotted the kick home to bring the game level.

The award of the penalty kick seemed to knock Cowie out of their stride briefly and they soon found themselves behind when a Morris free kick was deflected into the corner of the net after Robertson had conceded a foul on the edge of the box.

This setback galvanised Cowie into action and it was only a matter of minutes until they found themselves level. Substitute Penny picked the ball up wide and drove at the Mill Inn defence and as he broke into the box goal scorer Morris appeared to trip Penny resulting in the second penalty of the match. Watson stepped up and sent Park the wrong way to bring the scores level.

Cowie then took the game to Mill Inn and spent the remainder of the game attacking the home goal in search of the winner. Riddell again had a good chance to score but placed his header wide before another Watson effort was pushed wide by Park.

Park was outstanding for the home team and saved at the feet of Fraser who had been played through by Cursiter. This proved to be the final opportunity of the ninety minutes and the game headed to extra time.

In extra time it was Cowie Thistle who found the net through a Fraser volley, and Mill Inn’s chance of getting back into the game was lost when they were reduced to 9 men.

Division Three leaders Ferryhill booked their place in the Chattan Rovers Cup final against second place Great Northern Athletic after an impressive victory over Turriff Thistle.

That scenario never looked likely after the first 10 minutes of the game. Turriff started the much hungrier and brighter of the two sides and could have easily been two up inside 4 minutes. Firstly, winger Richard Fisher tested Ferryhill stopper Branton with a low side foot within a minute which he could only parry. Minutes later Clarke Morrison struck the post for Turriff from the angle of the 6 yard box after a defensive mix up.

These near misses evidently shook the hosts into action as they went to dominate the remainder of the half. Ferryhill’s midfielder Calum MacPhee was first to change the pattern of the game as he had an effort scooped off the line by a covering defender.

Striker Graeme Milne was next to make an impact as he glided past a defender before trying a delicate chip over Turriff ‘keeper Fraser who fisted the ball back to Milne who squared it to his strike partner Turbine who mishit the ball and it squirmed away harmlessly.

The home side missed another great opportunity after a graceful team move. Centre mid’ Grant Wood swept the ball wide for winger Hill who beat his man and pulled it back to Milne who sliced the ball wide of the target.

The pressure finally told half way through the first period and as is often the case, it was through a set piece. A driven corner was met by a flying side foot from midfield engine Grant Wood which left the goalkeeper stranded.

Turriff nearly simultaneously equalised from another set piece. A floated free kick fell to target man Fisher who flapped a shot comfortably over.

Shortly after we saw a classic midfield run from Ferryhill man Alan Mackie. He burst from midfield to go one on one with Scott Fraser with absent defenders but the Turriff number 1 saved his side from going further behind blocking a well placed shot from Mackie.

All the chances were falling to Ferryhill and defender Michael Wilson was next to have a go to beat Fraser. A corner fell to the full back on the edge of the box who curled a shot off the bar which bounced down as the league leaders appealed that the ball had crossed the line.

The second goal eventually did come but this time it was from a Ferryhill counter attack as Turriff defender Carder misjudged the flight of the ball and Milne punished him with a drilled effort at the near post to make it 2-0 at the interval.

Turriff would have been hoping to use the wind to their advantage in the second half to try and turn around the game but Ferryhill’s Chris Turbine almost ended that hope a minute into the second half after he knocked the ball past the on rushing Fraser after the ball fell to him at the corner of the 18 yard box.

Turriff didn’t just lie down and accept the knock back as they replied quickly from the penalty spot. Ryan Morrison was brought down as he moved away from goal and playmaker Philip Burnett coolly passed the ball into the net after sending the ‘keeper the wrong way.

Just as it was game on, it was game over. A loose ball fell to that man Graeme Milne who looked offside but with no whistle he didn’t stop to find out as he shrugged off a defender before nudging the ball past Fraser to end Turriff’s dream of a place in the final by making it 4-1 Ferryhill.

Turriff did score again but it was nothing but a consolation. The cup finalists won’t be happy with the defending as striker Mark Robertson was put through from his own ‘keeper’s kick to eventually prod under Phillip Branton to make the score line more respectable.

Ferryhill edged out their opponents after that goal, only restricting them to half chances. This result sets up a final between the top two teams in Division Three which could easily go either way.

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.

Luthermuir travelled to Stepps, Glasgow for their replay against the University side and started just where they left off in the game at home a week ago.

Within a minute the Muir created the first chance after good work by Ellis, he fed the ball out wide to Cruickshank and his pass released Greig in behind the back line, his shot was well saved by the keeper.

On 3 mins a great ball over the top by Slesser had Anderson clear of his defender and his shot was saved by the keepers feet and got up to gather before Anderson could have another stab at it.

On 5 mins a ball across the back line by Duff to Morrison let him gain advantage down the wing and he slipped the ball into Anderson’s feet 25 yards from goal, Anderson spun his defender and unleashed a shot at goal that was parried by the keeper out wide. Cruickshank was first to react and as the keeper was trying to get back to his goal he whipped in a ball to the back post that was headed clear by the Uni defence from the on rushing Slesser.

The first real chance for the Uni team came in 10 mins when a ball from midfield down the middle released the striker away, he rounded Wands and Duff came from nowhere to clear the ball from his feet with a goal looking likely.

The Muir were creating more and more chances but could not get the break through and again on 15 mins a good run out wide by Ellis created another chance when he slipped the ball back to Miller and his infield pass to Greig was thundered to goal but just went wide.

A few minutes later a ball over the top was headed down by Anderson into the path of Slesser and he took aim from 20 yards but his shot just went wide of the post. The Uni team started to come into the game and create some good passes of their own but never managed to worry Wands in goal.

On 29 mins another chance was created when Miller fed the ball long down the line to Slesser who cut inside and his thunderous shot went wide of the post. This was starting to look like the game at home and the Muir were starting to worry that they could live to regret these missed chances.

It took until the 40 minute before another chance was created and this time great work by Cruickshank and Greig with one twos down the wing let Greig race clear of the last defender but his shot was blocked with a last gasp tackle from a defender and cleared.

On 43 mins a ball over the top looked harmless but Young misplaced his clearance across the box and Morrison tried to get a connection on it to put it safe but it fell to a striker who buried it across goal for the opener.

This was a blow to the Muir who had dominated their opponents for most of the half with very little chances being created from the home side. The final chance of the half was created when Ellis fed the ball out wide to Cruickshank who raced down the line and cut the ball into Greig’s feet and he passed his defender to race to the by-line, his cut back was met by Cruickshank and just went wide of the near post.

Half-time: 1-0

Straight from the kick off the ball was played over the top and the on rushing Anderson snatched at the shot and put it over with just the keeper to beat. The Muir were now pushing their opponents deeper into their own half and down in the corner from a throw in Ellis flicked the ball on in the box to Grieg, his over head kicked was well saved by the keeper.

On 51 mins the Muir defence got caught out when a run down the wing by a Uni player was not challenged and he raced into the box to cut back the ball to the on rushing striker to bullet home their second.

This changed the game with the home team getting a lift and within 2 minutes the Uni players added a third when from a corner a player rose unmarked and headed home.

After a few frank words and change of formation the Muir got back into the game on 58 mins when Slesser slipped a ball along the deck for Anderson to race away in between two defenders, he cut over to his left and let fly with his shot that wrong footed the keeper for 3-1.

On 60 mins a through ball to Greig created another chance when he headed towards goal, as the keeper came out he squared it along the ground to Anderson but a defender nipped in to clear before Anderson could finish.

It was only a few minutes more when they got another goal when Ellis went on a run down the wing and layed it inside to Slesser who passed to Greig, he skipped by two challenges and from 20 yards he rifled his shot into the top corner with the keeper rooted to the spot for 3-2.

The game went end to end now with both teams looking for the next goal that could change the tie. On 72 mins a great run down the wing by a Uni player was crossed to the back post where two attackers were waiting but it was headed just over the cross bar.

Luthermuir continued to press their opponents but could not find a breakthrough and the final chance came on 88 mins when a ball down the wing released Morrison into the box but his shot was gathered by the keeper.

Luthermuir can only look back to the home game when they should have finished the tie off and the chances they created would have seen them progress to the fifth round.

Full Time: 3-2

Luthermuir: Wands, Miller (R Darar), Young, Duff, Morrison (Robertson), Cruickshank, Reid, Ellis, Slesser, Greig, Anderson – Subs: S Lindsay, Walker, Simpson

The game began as a very even contest and the first 10 minutes possession stats were probably 50/50 as both teams tried to put their stamp on the proceedings. As the game drew on West End started to dominate with the wind on their side. Their use of the right wing was particularly impressive and Cammachmore came up with little answers to stop them.

Chances came and went with number 9 Stuart Bathgate being guilty on a number of occasions. However, Michael Cocker was the worst culprit heading over from virtually under the bar direct from a corner. The away side did eventually take a deserved lead 10 minutes before the break. A lovely chiped ball from winger Daniel Rae broke the offside trap and midfielder Duthie delicately lobbed the ball over the on rushing Goug.

If the hosts were going to get back into the game it would be through the pace of striker Ryan Causby. Seconds after going behind he found himself in front of goal and produced a superb fingertip save from Thomson which fell to Cammachmore number 10 Simpson whose goal bound effort was inexplicably cleared off the line by a covering defender.

The home side again showed their attacking intent minutes later as the solid full back Kieran Gray played a graceful chip into Kyle Reid who stung the hands of the ‘keeper with a fierce volley.

These two scary moments jerked West End back into life and their outstanding playmaker Gordon Hardie was again at the heart of it. He cheekily nut megged Cammachmore defender Haddingham on the wing and then had the composure to stroke the ball across goal to give his strike partner Bathgate a tap in.

Causby again came close either side of the break. Shortly before half-time the away side’s ‘keeper delivered a vital block to deny him from close range. In the second half the striker came even closer when he grazed the post with a side foot effort from a Conor Bannerman cross.

However, the game was all but over twenty minutes into the second period when Cammachmore again fell asleep at a corner. A fantastic ball from substitute Derek Miller made it near impossible for Crocker to miss and make it 3-0.

As the game wore on the home side became more and more tired and disheartened and West End were ruthless. The best goal of the game was the fourth one. Sub Miller played a short corner and exchanged passes with Gordon Hardie and then curled a shot from the corner of the box into the opposite top hand corner which was so far in the corner it beat the man standing on the post, truly brilliant.

Another corner meant another goal for West End. The cross was headed down and then flicked into the net by striker Bathgate from a couple of yards out.

The hosts nearly had a goal to show for their troubles when substitute Neil McDonald hit a twenty-five yard pile driver which skimmed the top of the bar. Evidently, it wasn’t the home side’s day in front of goal.

The score line may have flattered them but West End march on into the next round of the cup after a confident performance.

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.”

On an extremely cold, snowy day it took both teams a while to warm to the game as they sized each other up. The early stages were very tight as defences were on top. This stalemate and defensive dominance was summed up as Stoneywood’s big centre half Colin Smith punted the ball out the artificial turf and over the adjacent Supermarket Roof.

However, the game’s first goals turned the match into an entertaining spectacle. The ball dropped behind the RGU defence for Stoneywood’s Graeme Wilson who hit a powerful volley with the outside of his right foot which squirmed through the raised hands of ‘keeper Ryan Waugh who could not prevent the away side taking the lead.

It didn’t take the students long to equalise as the game became stretched. Fraser Low used his wand of a left foot to deliver a free kick from the right directly onto the foot of his unmarked teammate Patterson who could hardly fail to find the net from a couple of yards at the far post.

The game opened up as the ball went end to end as both teams started to show their direct attacking intent. RGU were driven forward by their thoroughly impressive midfielder Ian Campbell who caused Stoneywood problem after problem with his sheer directness. Although it was luck that gave the hosts the lead not quality. Gianpierro Francsi swung a tame left foot effort from 18 yards which was going comfortably wide until it hit the body of defender Scott Slesser which diverted the ball past the stranded goalkeeper Alex Henderson who was diving the opposite way.

This setback for Stoneywood could have seen their heads drop but they never stopped to feel sorry for themselves. They went on the attack and just before half-time they should have been on level terms. The RGU number 1 spilled a low drive from Graeme Wilson which fell kindly to his strike partner Martin Foy who from 6 yards could only hit the post.

Whatever the Stoneywood manager said to his players at half-time it worked. They started the second half far brighter and it didn’t take them long to equalise. A driven corner from the influential Graeme Wilson was met by the head of Christie who got in front of his man at the near post to bullet a header in to level the game at 2-2.

If RGU were going to win the game it would be thanks to their number 8 Campbell who came close a number of times, most notably dragging a shot inches wide from the edge of the box and beating a couple of players. However, Stoneywood were looking the more dangerous side and their number 8 Stuart McGuigan hit the bar from just inside the box with ten minutes to go.

Great running from Martin Foy to keep the ball in, go past a defender and then pull it back to McGuigan created another chance. Foy could have won the game when 2 minutes from time he picked the ball up just inside the opposition’s half, he ghosted past a defender like he wasn’t there and went on to curl a shot from twenty yards which went a whisker wide of the target with the ‘keeper routed to the spot.

Both sides made substitutions to try and achieve the win in regulation time but without reward putting the game into extra time.

Extra time started as the snow returned but this didn’t perturb the students as they broke the deadlock after 3 minutes when an in swinging corner by Fraser Low was bundled into the net by Priestly.

Stoneywood continued to press and were unlucky when a shot by Wilson came back off the bar with Waugh well beaten.

RGU secured a great win with 10 minutes to play when a cross by Mollison was headed in by the hard working Campbell.