Extra Time Needed for First Win
Old Aberdonians 4 – 3 Bervie Caley (AET)
Association Trophy First Round on Saturday 28th August at Sheddocksley
Manager Morrison rang the changes following the Abos poor start to the season. Murison and Russell started in the back four while Barr was restored to the team on the right of midfield as they faced Division One (North) side Bervie Caley in this cup clash.
The Abos started brightly and almost got their reward in spectacular style. Wilson’s lay off found Roper 25 yards out and his sweet strike came crashing back off the bar. Wilson had the next effort after cutting in from the left but his low drive was saved by the feet of the keeper who was in for a busy afternoon.
The breakthrough came after 23 minutes although it did come with a bit of luck. After finding some space on the right wing Fraser’s looping cross seemed to be going straight to the keeper however he got himself in a mess and ended up palming the ball into the net for an embarrassing own goal.
Leading a game for the first time this season seemed to boost the home team who at times were playing some excellent one and two touch football. After Roper and Cameron combined in the middle of the park the latter sent a precise through ball for Fraser to burst onto but his shot was straight at the keeper.
The second goal duly arrived following a strong run from Roper to win a corner. Wilson’s set piece was met by an unstoppable header from Pocock. The big defender almost repeated the trick 10 minutes later when an even better header was brilliantly tipped round the post. Marshall also came close to extending the lead but he headed over from close range from Barr’s teasing cross.
At this stage there was only one team in the game however a stoppage following a head knock to Murison seemed to break the Abos concentration. Shortly before half time the Bervie winger was able to keep the ball in at the byeline and squeeze a ball across goal which wrong footed Russell and allowed the striker to knock the ball home despite the best efforts of Pocock on the line.
Half-time: 2-1
Within minutes of the restart the away team were level. A simple ball into the feet of the striker allowed him to turn Pocock who seemed to stumble and when the ball was squared again there was an unmarked man to score the equaliser.
The dramatic turn around was complete before the hour mark when the Abos failed to deal with a corner and after a bit of pinball the loose ball was slammed home to give Bervie the lead for the first time.
The Abos were temporarily shocked which was no surprise having dominated for much of the game and had in general looking solid defensively. However Caley had taken their chances and were now determined to hold their lead.
Wilson created the next chance after beating his opposite man for the umpteenth time and as he found Marshall at the edge of the box the striker saw his shot beat the keeper but not the crossbar. Cameron had moved up front in place of Fraser and had a half sight of goal but his shot from the right of the box went sailing over as he was a little off balance.
Another swift move involving Cameron and Roper saw the ball crossed for Marshall who cleverly dummied allowing the supporting Wilson to beat the keeper only to see his shot cleared from the line by the covering defender. Two more chances quickly followed with Wilson again being denied by the keeper from his angled shot before the next attack he cleverly played in Russell with a backheel but the left backs shot went agonisingly across the face of goal.
The equaliser did arrive when Edwards was fouled on the right wing. Barr took the free kick and his deep cross found Edwards unmarked at the back post and he did the rest with a well directed header into the far corner.
The ball was in the net again shortly after when Roper burst from midfield, drew the keeper and squared for Marshall to tap in however the referee judged the striker to be offside which looked like a tough call.
In the final 15 minutes the flow of the game changed with Bervie suddenly getting on top and showing greater levels of fitness. Pocock came close to scoring an own goal after cutting out a dangerous cross while Clark also had to be alert to save from a corner. Another excellent chance came the way of the underdogs as a clever ball to the back saw the winger come in but his shot from a tight angle missed the near post.
One more chance fell the way of the Abos when Wilson again burst into the box from the left but he perhaps delayed his pass to Cameron too long and the Abos top scorer from last season saw his shot blocked.
Full Time: 3-3
Morrison freshened up the team by replacing the right hand side with Craig and Farrell as the Abos looked to regain control of the match. Marshall should have given them the lead when Wilson fed him 8 yards out but the ball sliced off his foot and went wide. Cameron had a couple of half chances but under pressure was unable to find the target.
At the other end Bervie were causing few problems with Murison in particular winning every challenge and not showing the affects of the three head knocks he had suffered during the course of the game.
The teams changed ends still level but the deciding goal finally arrived when Pocock released Marshall with a ball over the top and this time he kept his cool to fire a left foot shot past the keeper.
The Abos saw out the remainder of the game which had begun to get a bit heated with the referee producing 3 yellow cards in the last 5 minutes. Over the piece the Abos were worth their victory but had been given a scare by a committed and clinical Bervie team.
Team: G. Clark, S. Wyness (D. Craig), A. Russell, F. Pocock, S. Murison, M. Roper, A. Barr (C. Farrell), A. Cameron, C. Marshall, S. Fraser (G. Edwards), E. Wilson.
Unused Subs: M. Horne
Goals (Assists): Own Goal (Fraser), Pocock (Wilson), Edwards (Barr), Marshall (Pocock).
Yellow Cards: Edwards
Man of the Match: S. Murison
