Relegation Still a Possibility After Cove Loss

Cove Thistle 4-3 Old Aberdonians

Premier Division on Saturday 15th May 2010 at Catto Park

Following Wednesdays win at AC Mill Inn the Abos knew a win at Cove would secure premier league status for another season. Despite Cove’s low league position their home record was strong and a hard 90 minutes lay ahead. The late withdrawal of keeper Clark meant a fair bit of reshuffling was required in the Abos starting line up.

The Abos had the advantage of the slope in the first half and didn’t take long to break the deadlock. After Purdon’s dangerous cross was only cleared as far as Cameron at the back post he fed Fraser inside the box who laid it to Wilson 15 yards out and he made no mistake in placing the ball into the bottom corner.

Cove had a lot of the ball without looking like creating anything while the Abos looked dangerous every time they broke. Both Cameron and Fraser were denied good chances by close offside decisions going in the home teams favour.

The Abos doubled their lead after 22 minutes when Wilson won a free kick on the right. He got himself up off the ground to swing in a dangerous set piece that Cameron got an excellent glancing header to, seeing the ball go beyond the keeper into the far corner.

Cove were generally being restricted to long range efforts with Pocock only having to deal with a couple of crosses. Edwards was having a storming first half winning the aerial and physical banter against his opposite man.

Cameron had a great chance to extend the lead when Fraser broke down the right, from what looked like an offside position, and squared it to his strike partner. Cameron perhaps had too much time and in the end the keeper was able to narrow the angle and divert the shot wide. However from the resulting corner Wilson’s cross just evaded Cameron and hit a Cove player on the back of the head and flew past his own keeper.

The Abos comfortably held on till the break with the back four all looking solid and Cove beginning to get frustrated.

Half-time: 0-3

The scoreline meant the Abos were in the driving seat but with the significant slope now in their favour and throwing on a substitute up front with a physical present Cove were going to give it a go. It was important the away team could weather the early storm but they struggled to get out of their half and were guilty of a number of sloppy passes.

On 54 minutes after failing to clear a set piece the Cove midfielder was allowed too much time to play a ball in behind Wilson for the substitute to run onto. He unselfishly squared the ball for his unmarked team mate to score and give Cove some hope.

The pattern of the play continued with the Abos defence suddenly not looking so solid under the long ball. At the other end Cameron and Fraser were virtual spectators and unable to hold the ball on the odd occasion it did come their way.

On 67 minutes a long free kick fell into the 6 yard box and was again not dealt with by the Abos defence. The striker managed to play it across goal and again there was a Cove player without anyone near him who had the simple task of nodding home from 2 yards.

With their tales now up Cove believed they could get something out of the game. Munro replaced Fraser in the hope he could break up some of the attacks. However with 15 minutes left a free kick was swung in from the left and an almighty scramble followed in the 6 yard box. The Abos failed to clear and eventually the ball was knocked in as the Cove sideline went wild.

Despite all the pressure Pocock had not had any significant saves to make but the scores were now level. With 5 minutes remaining Craig, playing in his unfavoured position at left back, was unable to clear and when the Cove winger controlled the ball Craig tripped his ankle just inside the box. The Cove player sent Pocock the wrong way from the spot to complete the comeback and send the players wild.

Despite some late pressure that saw Roper shoot wide and Munro head straight at the keeper Cove held on and kept their hopes of survival alive.

Full Time: 4-3

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Team: F. Pocock, B. Purdon, D. Craig, S. Johnston, G. Edwards, G. Ashton, A. Barr (M. Johnston), M. Roper, A. Cameron, S. Fraser (B. Munro), E. Wilson.

Unused Subs: A. Russell, S. Murison

Goals (Assists): Wilson (Fraser), Cameron (Wilson), Own Goal (Wilson)

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Management Speak

At 3-0 up the team should be safe but the second half display means there is still a lot of work to do. Perhaps a number of players thought the game was won at half time and we just didn’t stand up to what Cove threw at us second half. There was a lack of composure all over the park in the second half both defensively as a team and with the inability to keep possession and make simple passes. Thankfully things are still in our own hands and one win from our last 4 games will secure safety but there is a worrying soft spot that runs through the team.