North Region Superleague

Coming off the back of 2 good 1 - 0 wins, we had high hopes about todays game to set up an end of season push into the top 4, however on the day we were well short.

For the first 15 minutes the only action was down our left hand side where Banchory were putting in their No. 7 time and time again and we just didn’t deal with it or learn from it. Luckily their finishing wasn’t good or it could have been worse but Steven Hart had to head one off the line. Until the 25thminute we did bugger all until John Willox got the ball about 20 yards out and tried a speculative shot that was low to the keepers left and just inside the post, I think we were all surprised to see it go in ! Just after that we should have been 2 up, Gav took a corner on the left right onto Richies head but instead of hitting the target he headed it down where it was cleared off the line and his follow up shot was blocked, a great chance missed. Then, Banchory broke and only a great save from Scott prevented them equalising, not for long though because it came straight back in and was buried into the net for 1 - 1. On the half hour yet another chance to go in front when a dropping ball into their box was left by the defender, John got to the ball but was wiped out by the keeper, penalty. Gav decided he wanted to take it but it was a shite effort giving the keeper the chance to make an easy save.  Just after their No 7 again got the ball on their right and came inside before hitting his shot on target, luckily it was blocked out for a corner. Just on the time whistle Gav threaded a ball into their box for Zander but his shot across the keeper went wide of the far post.

The 2nd half was a shambles.

We did look a bit better when Jason came on in the 67th minute because up until then the midfield was all over the place but we were already 2 - 1 down and the final 10 minutes they scored 2 more putting a pretty flattering look on the final scoreline.

There were far too many disappointing performances today from some players we expected more from.

Tuesdays game will see how much the players want to play for Maud because if they fail to perform against Longside they will get screwed.

You can tell I’m not happy !

Match Stats

Grahams Report

SAINTS TURN INTO DEVILS AT MAUD 

This game kicked off in cold windy conditions and both teams took a few minutes to settle. Banchory found their feet first and in the seventh minute nearly took the lead but for an alert Maud defence. Breaking upfield after stifling a Maud attack, Banchory again showed their dominance from a shot that flew just over the crossbar. Banchory won a free kick which was crossed in but cleared for a corner by Arthur. Crossed back in it was cleared by Powell for a throw in which came to nothing. Banchory were taking the game to Maud who again found themselves under pressure with Hart clearing the danger with a good solid header. Finally in a rare foray up field Maud won a free kick. Played into the feet of Willox who turned and fired low in to the bottom right of goal catching the keeper un sighted to take the lead in the 25th minute. After some scrambled defending Banchory broke up the left and forced a great save from Cowe who was unable to do anything from the follow up which was driven into the net for the equaliser in the 28th minute. Maud upped their game and forced their way into the Banchory 18 yard box. Willox was taken down leaving the ref no option but to point to the penalty spot. Middleton stepped up but his low weak shot to the bottom right was guessed correctly by the keeper and saved. In a final attack before half time by McKechnie who jinxed past 3 defenders and passed onto Willox whose shot went over the bar.

Straight from the restart Maud kept up the pressure on Banchory creating a few chances but failing to convert any of them. Banchory bounced back and broke down the left. Crossed over to Horne at the back post who capitalised on a mistake by Powell to send Banchory into the lead. Winning a corner from a move by McKechnie was crossed in and headed back to Willox by Arthur but was blasted over the bar.  good interlinking move between Willox and A Davidson was brought to a close with a great save from Robertson in the Banchory goals. Maud's bad luck came when a throw in to Banchory beside the bye line was driven down the right wing. With Cowe closing down the angle, the striker jinxed past him and shot in but came back off the bar only for the follow up to finish in the back of the net. The game finally went beyond Maud when a Banchory attack down the right forced yet again another great save from Cowe but was helpless to do anything with the follow up which was chipped in over his head. Shots from Willox and McDonald in injury time were both saved by Robertson. At the final whistle Maud ran out a poor second in this game with some very disappointing individual performances which hopefully will improve when Maud meet Longside (Tuesday 4th May) with a 7.15pm KO.