Premier Status Assured As Abos Hit Nine
Old Aberdonians 9 – 3 Sportsmans Club
Premier League on Wednesday 26th May at Balgownie
The Abos entered this midweek encounter knowing a win would confirm premier league status for another season and also keep alive their hopes of finishing as high as 4th. Clark returned in goals meaning the home team were at full strength on a wet evening at Balgownie.
The slick surface allowed both teams to pass the ball about and following one good spell of possession the Sportsmans right winger broke into the box and saw his angled shot pushed wide by Clark. The Abos then had a chance to break the deadlock when Wilson worked a neat one two on the edge of the box with Marshall before nutmegging the last defender. However his left foot shot was close enough to keeper Beattie to stick out a leg and divert wide.
From the resulting corner Sportsmans broke in numbers which resulted in a chance for their striker who was caught by the leg of Clark and a penalty was awarded. Having faced a penalty earlier in the season from McKenzie, Clark anticipated he would go the same way and made an excellent save low to his left.
The let off was short lived as on 14 minutes and Abos attack broke down near the Sportsmans box and a long first time pass released McNamara on goal who despite pressure from Edwards was able slip the ball past Clark. The Abos then lost Murison through injury with Barr his replacement.
Sportsmans doubled their lead when their winger found space on the left and his cross found Buchanan unmarked at the back post to volley in via a deflection off Pocock. Marshall had a chance to half the deficit when picked out by Barr but his shot from close range was straight at Beattie when he had more time than he thought.
Further half chances fell the way of Roper, who saw a 25 yard left foot shot fly inches wide, and Cameron whose low shot was well parried by Beattie. The game was then to change dramatically in a 10 minute spell either side of half time.
On 40 minutes Roper received the ball on the left touchline and drove positively to the bye line before drilling a low ball across goal that Fraser flicked in via the back post. The goal visibly lifted the home team and they equalised just before half time. A short corner saw Pocock whip in a dangerous cross that was only headed as far as Marshall. His shot from 12 yards hit the bottom of the post and fell to the feet of Fraser just 4 yards out who was left with a simple finish.
Half-time: 2-2
Straight from kick off the Abos took the lead for the first time. Pocock found Fraser who turned his man down the left side before crossing to his strike partner. Marshall had enough time to take a touch and was happy to see his rather sclaffed shot find the bottom corner for his first goal since 13th March.
Sportsmans seemed shell shocked by the turn around and by 50 minutes they were further behind. Good play by Wilson released Craig down the right and when he fed Barr the winger turned his man and whipped in a deep cross. Fraser had peeled off his man at the back post and showed good composure to feed it to Marshall who happily tapped in from close range.
The goals kept coming for the home side, next on the score sheet was Roper. Having been found in space by Wilson he drove forward and floated a long range shot over the static Beattie and into the top corner. Goal six was again down to the Abos front two who were showing the form that had helped the team start the season so well. Edwards’s long free kick was misjudged by the Sportsmans defence and Marshall quickly pounced onto the mistake before feeding Fraser who sealed his hat trick with a composed finish with his left foot.
Wilson again showed clever skill to beat the last defender but as with his effort in the first half it was a tame finish. With the next attack the ball was in the net again. Fraser fed the ball back to Barr on the corner of the box and his first time shot was perfectly whipped over the keeper and into the far top corner.
Further chances came and went with both Marshall and Roper guilty of taking heavy touches when through on goal. Ashton replaced Roper who had a slight knock before Pocock saw a 25 yard shot well saved by the busy Beattie. Ashton was then neatly played in by Marshall but his shot from a tight angle was touched onto the near post by the keeper.
The eighth goal came courtesy of an excellent move between Ashton and Cameron. Having received a neat return pass Ashton drove at the last defender before unselfishly playing it back to Cameron who slid it past Beattie to re-take the lead as the teams top scorer on 29 goals. Cameron shot wide from Wilson’s lay off before Sportsmans grabbed a consolation when Buchanan beat the offside trap and gave Clark no chance with his finish.
The final goal of the game was scored by Ashton who had made a good impression having started the last two games on the bench. Some more Abos pressure wasn’t dealt with and when Ashton picked up the loose ball he curled a low shot in from the edge of the box.
Full Time: 9-3
Team: G. Clark, D. Craig, F. Pocock, G. Edwards, K. Good, M. Roper (G. Ashton), S. Murison (A. Barr), A. Cameron, C. Marshall (B. Munro), S. Fraser, E. Wilson.
Unused Subs: A. Russell, S. Wyness
Goals (Assists): Fraser (Roper), Fraser (Marshall), Marshall (Fraser), Marshall (Fraser), Roper (Wilson), Fraser (Marshall), Barr (Fraser), Cameron (Ashton), Ashton (n/a)
Man of the Match: Fraser
Management Speak
An excellent comeback from the team after a slow shaky start. The confidence grew with each goal that went in and the front two in particular terrorised the Sportsmans defence. The team deservedly sealed their place in the top division for next season and will look to win their last two games and try and finish fourth. First up is Cove at home on Saturday followed by the team’s end of season night out which promises to be a great night.
