Old Abos Secure Fantastic Fourth
Old Aberdonians 3-1 Great Western Utd
Premier Division on Wednesday 2nd June at Balgownie
The Abos 43rd and final competitive fixture of the season had a lot more at stake than most end of season games do. Great Western were the visitors and required all 3 points to avoid relegation and send down AC Mill Inn in their place. The Abos strong finish to the season meant they still had a chance of finishing fourth which would result in qualification for next season’s John Todd Memorial Trophy.
The early stages were focused more in the middle of the park than any threat to either goal. Ashton put in a couple of hefty early tackles while one blatant foul on Chisholm saw the Great Western captain react angrily to the Abos number 6. The home skipper Wilson was also on the end of a couple of challenges that saw promising runs down the left brought to an end.
Some growing pressure brought Great Western and their large travelling support the reward they were after when the Abos failed to deal with a long throw. Although Ryan Wilson’s shot was blocked by his namesake the loose ball was only cleared as far as Duffy at the edge of the box and his sweetly struck left foot shot flew past the unsighted Clark and into the net.
The Abos gradually came back into the game and Brown made a smart save with his feet from Pocock’s close range effort following a set piece. The equaliser arrived shortly after when Ashton picked up a loose ball 40 yards out having appeared to trip his opposite man off the ball. The referee waved play on and when Ashton returned the ball into the box it was the Great Western defender McDonald who inadvertently headed the ball over his own keeper from 15 yards.
The away side briefly fought back and had a claim for a penalty when Duffy went down under Craig’s challenge but again the referee’s decision failed to go their way. Roper came close to giving the Abos the lead when he picked up a weak defensive header but his shot on the half volley sliced just wide.
The ball was in the net for a third time when Cameron’s scuffed shot landed at Fraser’s feet in the 6 yard box. He passed to Marshall who knocked it past Brown only for the goal to be correctly ruled out for offside.
In the last minute of the half the Abos did get the goal. Murison, playing at right back, brought the ball forward before picking out Cameron’s diagonal run into the box with a clever chipped pass. The Abos top scorer did the rest with two neat touches, the second delightfully knocking it over the advancing Brown and into the empty net.
Half-time: 2-1
The Abos carried on from where they had left off and were seeing plenty of the ball especially down the left flank. With the front two of Fraser and Marshall always making themselves available and bringing the supporting midfielders into the game, Great Western were at times being run ragged.
Pocock found space on the left to swing over a perfect cross onto the head of Fraser who looked like he had directed his effort perfectly into the corner only to see it rebound off the post with Ashton stretching as he knocked the rebound wide.
It was all one way traffic and Pocock had a barnstorming run forward, beating two men before cutting inside Chisholm in the box however as he awkwardly wound up his right foot it was no surprise to see the ball sail high and wide. Another swift move started by Wilson and involving Fraser and Pocock saw the Abos winger break down the left, riding one challenge before crossing for Roper at the back post. Unfortunately the ball sat up at the crucial moment and his shot went over.
Despite being under the cosh for the whole half Great Western were still in the game and a 5 minute spell of pressure almost got them level. Three successive corners were swung in and twice Clark had to make impressive saves, one low down from a close range shot and the second a flying one handed save from a header.
The Abos used all three of their substitutes in the last 20 minutes with Sullivan, Munro and Wyness all given a run out. Pocock went on another strong run from the halfway line and this time he was able to shoot with his left foot however the ball ended up going right across the face of goal and away to safety.
With just 5 minutes left the victory was sealed and it was done in some style. Sullivan fed Wyness some 35 yards out who looked to wind up for a shot. Having heard about the veteran’s shooting all season the Great Western defence were happy to stand off but as the ball left Wyness’s foot it rocketed straight as an arrow into the top corner.
Full Time: 3-1
Team: G. Clark, S. Murison, F. Pocock, G. Edwards, D. Craig, G. Ashton (B. Munro), M. Roper (L. Sullivan), A. Cameron, C. Marshall, S. Fraser (S. Wyness), E. Wilson.
Unused Subs: A. Russell,
Goals (Assists): Own Goal (Ashton), Cameron (Murison), Wyness (Sullivan)
Man of the Match: Cameron
Management Speak
A really good performance, possibly one of our best of the season, especially after having to come back from a goal down against a team who were fighting for their lives. The whole team played well with Murison having his best game since the turn of the year, Pocock at his best charging up the left, and Craig and Edwards both solid and disciplined in the middle. Wyness’s strike to finish the season was special, and arguably a last gasp winner of goal of the season.
With Westdyke losing to Bon Accord the team have finished the season in 4th position, an Abos record, and a reward for the hard effort that has gone in over the last 11 months. The boys will look forward to a few weeks off and hope our performances of late have attracted some interest from any potential new players and more importantly a new manager for next season.
