Echt at Hazlehead in the Premier Division, kick-off 2.00pm
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.
Following a run of seven consecutive defeats that had seen the Abos plummet down the league table and into the relegation places they travelled to Stonehaven for a crucial 6 pointer against AC Mill Inn. A week’s break had allowed the return of defenders of Craig, Edwards and Good who looked to shore up a defence that had shipped 19 goals in 4 games.
The Abos last chance of silverware meant facing league leaders Echt in this quarter final tie. Despite an encouraging start which saw Cameron come close with a header it was Echt who broke the deadlock when the referee handed the home team a penalty after a soft handball against Purdon. Immediately confidence was drained from a number of the Abos players perhaps as a result of the wretched run of form they have been on of late.
The Abos had the chance to relegate Banchory while at the same time give themselves some breathing space in what had now turned into a relegation struggle. They were able to welcome back keeper Clark and made a very quick start to the game.
Squad:E.Wilson, G.Clark, A.Macdonald,, B.Purdon, G.MacLennan, B.Munro, A.Russell, S.Fraser, M.Roper, G.Ashton, S.Wyness, F.Pocock, A.Cameron, S. Murison, A.Barr, M. Johnston
Opponents: Banchory
Competition: League
Venue: Banchory
Meet:6.00 for 6.45 pm kick off
League leaders Echt faced a very different Abos line up to the one that pushed them so close in this season’s earlier fixture. Only 12 fit players were available including the management duo of Mullen and Creegan who were both forced to pull on the boots. With no league victory at Balgownie this season the odds were very much against the Abos getting a result.
The out of form Abos faced the high flying students still missing a number of players through injury. The Uni’ started the brighter and were rewarded with an early breakthrough. The Abos failed to clear a corner and when the ball was swung back in it was Lamont who ghosted in at the back post to guide his header past Pocock.
Squad:E.Wilson, G.Clark, B.Purdon, G.MacLennan, B.Munro, A.Russell, S.Fraser, M.Roper, G.Ashton, S.Wyness, F.Pocock, A.Cameron, S. Murison, L.Sullivan,S.Johnston, M. Johnston
Opponents: United Services GlendaleXI
Competition: League
Venue: Balgownie
Meet:1.00 for 2.00 pm kick off
Squad:T.Mullen, B.Creegan, E.Wilson, B.Munro,A.Russell, S.Fraser, D.Craig, G.Ashton, F.Pocock, A.Cameron, S. Murison, L.Sullivan, M. Johnston
Opponents: Echt
Competition: League
Venue: Balgownie
Meet:6.00 for 6.45 pm kick off
The teams met for the fourth time this season with the reward for the winners on this occasion being a place in the Premier Trophy Final. Despite the Abos being unbeaten in the previous three encounters, they had all been tight games and could easily have gone either way. The Abos were still missing a number of key players but looked to bounce back from consecutive league defeats against Cowie Thistle.
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