Cowie Thistle 0 – 3 Old Aberdonians

The Abos bounced back to winning ways with a win in Stonehaven on Saturday. The final scoreline arguably flattered the visitors somewhat as Cowie spurned a number of good chances throughout the game. However, two goals in the final 5 minutes sealed a victory which keeps the Abos well in touch at the top of the table.

In a game which could easily have proved tricky for the Abos, strong commitment in all areas of the park and more clinical finishing proved the decisive factors in this game. Already missing a number of key regulars a couple of late calloffs led to callups for Petrie and Morlans who joined McKenzie and Russell on the bench. The starting eleven was much as expected with Mullen returning to heart of the defence, MacLennan and Young making up the centre of midfield and le Poidevin partnering Marshall in attack.

There was little to choose between the teams in the opening period with long spells of scrappy play on a hard bouncy pitch. The Abos were forced into an early change when Anderson picked up a shoulder knock and was replaced by Russell. With few chances on offer the Abos were more than happy to plunder the lead on the 25 minute mark when LE POIDEVIN latched onto crossfromt he left and bundled the ball over the line at the second time of asking.

Before the break Cowie enjoyed their best spell of the game. They were looking particularly dangerous from the set piece and a low near post corner was flicked onto the underside of the bar but, unfortunatley for Thistle, the ball bounced harmlessly away. Craig also did extremely well to block a certain goal as half-time approached.

Half-time: 0-1

The home side were put into more diffcult when they were reduced to 10 men early in the second period when their No. 8 was dismissed for a second booking. With the game opening the Abos took some time to exploit their numerical advantage and it was Thistle who were creating the better chances. To the visitors relief a number of good chances were spurned by the Cowie forward line.

Catalan Morlans, making his Abos debut, was introduced into the midfield. Shortly afterwards McKenzie was also required from the bench as Adair succombed to an ankle injury. With space increasingly available to the midfield the Abos were carving out a number of good chances but were left frustrated by dubious off-side decisions more than once. The breakthrough did finally arrive with five minutes remaining when McKenzie picked out MORLANS who headed home from six yards out. The substitutes combined again just before the final whistle to seal the victory.

Result: 0-3

Team: G. Clark, Anderson (Russell 20), Craig, Adair (McKenzie 70), Mullen, Hamilton, MacLennan, Young (Morlans 64), Wilson, Marshall, le Poidevin. Sub not used: Petrie

Scorers: le Poidevin (25), Morlans (84, 90)

Yellow Card: MacLennan

Man of the Match: Marshall