Pointless Start Continues at Mill Inn

AC Mill Inn 2 – 0 Old Aberdonians

Premier Division on Saturday 21st August at Mineralwell Park, Stonehaven

The Abos waited two weeks before being given the opportunity to make up for their opening day defeat to Sportsman’s Club. The team travelled south to Stonehaven on a sunny afternoon to face AC Mill Inn who had lost their opening four league games. Mike Horne was given his debut at left back while Johnston was available to take up the defensive midfield role.

It was the home team who started brighter and were sharper to the ball all over the park. Most of their success was coming down the right where their speedy winger was seeing plenty of the ball and getting in behind the Abos defence. Fortunately the Abos were able to withstand the opening 20 minutes of pressure with Murison in particular finding himself in the right place to make important clearances.

As confidence grew Cameron saw a long range snap shot go harmlessly wide before Fraser played Marshall through for an excellent chance. As the keeper hesitated, the Abos striker knocked the ball past him only to see it rebound back off the post to safety. Chances were limited as both teams struggled to keep control of the very bouncy ball provided by the home team.

Barr saw a shot deflected over the bar and from the resulting corner the stretching Marshall shot over after the ball fell into his path at the back post. The match reached half time goalless with neither team deserving any more.

Half-time: 0-0

The Abos came agonisingly close to taking the lead within 5 minutes of the restart after good work from Wilson on the left. His dinked cross was headed goalwards by Marshall and what should have been a simple save for the keeper almost resulted in a goal as it slipped through his hands before he recovered and grabbed the ball on the line.

Shortly after it was the home team who took the lead with a quick counter attack. Again the space came down the right wing as the No 7 made it to the byeline and although his cross fell behind the unmarked Muir, the striker had time to control the ball before cleverly back heeling past keeper Clark.

Russell replaced the tiring Horne as the Abos looked for some inspiration to get back into the game. Marshall did well to rob a defender and square for Fraser but the strikers shot from 12 yards was straight at the keeper. Half chances came and went with Mill Inn generally looking comfortable.

Darren Clark replaced the injured Johnston with 20 minutes to go. The home side then doubled their lead from a long throw. The loose dropped in the box and Comfort was quickest to react and fire a volley over Clark and into the top of the net. Although the Abos pressed late on, with Farrell also thrown into the action, they never looked like scoring twice. Clark’s glancing header that went just over was the closest they came.

With the last attack of the match the Mill Inn captain latched onto a through ball and saw his shot hit the crossbar. With no more goals Mill Inn got their season off and running while the Abos travel to Kintore on Wednesday hoping to get their first points of the season.

Full Time: 2-0

Team: G. Clark, D. Craig, M. Horne (A. Russell), G. Edwards, S. Murison, S. Johnston (D. Clark), A. Barr, A. Cameron, C. Marshall, S. Fraser (C. Farrell), E. Wilson.