Premier Trophy Semi Disappointment
Old Aberdonians 1 – 2 Westdyke
Premier Trophy Semi Final on Saturday 24th April at Balgownie
The teams met for the fourth time this season with the reward for the winners on this occasion being a place in the Premier Trophy Final. Despite the Abos being unbeaten in the previous three encounters, they had all been tight games and could easily have gone either way. The Abos were still missing a number of key players but looked to bounce back from consecutive league defeats against Cowie Thistle.
Westdyke began the sharper and had the home team pinned back in their own half in the early stages. Dempster recovered well on one occasion having been caught on the ball but by and large Pocock had very little to do. He did have to tip over a Neill free kick but gradually the Abos came into the game.
Purdon and Murison looked to work the ball down the right on a couple of occasions, once leading to Murison testing Neill with a well hit 25 yard shot, but a number of attacks seemed to break down with a slack final pass. The game took a major twist in the space of 2 minutes around the half hour mark. Firstly Westdyke won a free kick just to the right of the box after a harsh handball against Dempster. The ball was drilled in low and after a clever flick at the near post was well saved by Pocock, the rebound was knocked in by Stevenson only for the referee to cut the celebrations short by blowing for offside.
In the Abos next attack a neat passing move involving Cameron, Purdon and Murison saw the latter swing in a dangerous cross. The ball was only headed clear as far as Wilson who was lurking around the penalty spot and his first time shot left Neill in the Westdyke goal motionless. The goal lifted the home team and they comfortably held out till the break.
Half-time: 1-0
With a slight wind advantage Westdyke were able to use route one football to their advantage in the second half. Just 5 minutes in and Paul Neill raced onto Doig’s flick, his swerving volley looked goal bound only for Pocock to fling himself high to his left and tip it over the bar.
The equaliser arrived in 57 minutes when the Abos failed to clear a corner. The second ball was swung back into the box and when it cleared everyone to harmlessly go out for a goal kick it seemed the Abos had survived. However the referee had spotted some shirt pulling by Wyness on Stevenson and pointed to the spot. Doig stepped up and sent Pocock the wrong way.
The Abos were now under the cosh with Cameron and Fraser feeding off scraps and the midfield unable to get a hold of the ball. Dempster was then caught by the lively Paul Neill who burst towards the bye line and cut the ball back. Unfortunately the retreating Dempster slipped and the ball rolled into his arm giving Westdyke their second penalty of the half. After some mind games between Pocock and his work colleague Doig, it was the keeper who won the battle diving low to his left and palming the ball to safety.
MacLennan came on to give the Abos a different option but Westdyke were soon rewarded for their strong second half showing. A 50 yard free kick was allowed to drop inside the Abos penalty area and it was Stevenson who placed a first time volley into the net.
With 14 minutes left Westdyke were happy to put numbers behind the ball and protect their lead. They brought on Taylor who decided he was just going to break up any attacks with wreckless fouls, firstly charging through Cameron mid air and then catching MacLennan late with a tackle. The substitute was shown two yellows and headed for the showers. In the dying minutes Wilson’s free kick was met by the aggressive Cameron who did everything right only to see his header brilliantly saved by Neill low to his right. From the corner it was keeper Pocock who had come forward but could only glance his header wide and with it the Abos faint hopes disappeared.
Full Time: 1-2
Team: F. Pocock, B. Purdon, D. Craig, J. Dempster (J. Le Poidevin), S. Wyness, B. Munro, S. Murison (G. MacLennan), G. Ashton, A. Cameron, S. Fraser, E Wilson.
Unused Subs: R. Stainthorpe
Goals (Assists): Wilson (n/a)
Management Speak
The result was a familiar feeling of late for the team, with a lot of effort, getting a lead but unable to see the game through. Gutting to miss out on a cup final but over the 90 minutes Westdyke were the stronger and more threatening team. The players will need to put in an even bigger effort over the coming week and hope for a break or two as they face the University and Echt in the league, currently sitting 3rd and 2nd respectively. Despite three defeats on the bounce, no team is finding it easy against us, and there is no reason why we can’t be confident going into these games.
