North Region Superleague

With a really good win against Culter last week behind us, it was going to take a similar amount of effort today against Ellon especially on a horrible pitch against a team we seem to struggle against, not today though !

Derek almost started the game off to a flyer after 5 minutes when he put a cross into the box that Zander only just missed to convert. On 11 minutes a fierce shot from Iain in the box struck the defender on the arms but the ref waved away the penalty claim, the ball then came out to Derek who screwed his shot wide. On 15 minute Scott had to make a fingertip save from a crossed ball that was heading for their forward on the line but it was pushed out for a corner that came to nothing. Just after we won a corner and Zander put it into the box where it was cleared out to Bruce 16 yards out, he hit a reaction shot that was heading for the net but was cleared off the line. On 19 minutes I thought it was all going to go pear shaped when Ellons No 9 fell over in the box under a challenge from Mark, they both took their time to get up but a bit of handbags and according to the ref, a headbutt, saw Mark get a red card.  After that, even though we had been reduced to 10 men, we were actually playing better, trying to pass the ball more than Ellon. However it wasn’t much to watch until the 40th minute when Ellons No. 9 again got involved, this time with Razor, the ref saw it and gave him his 2nd yellow and so he too got an early shower.  Just after they got a corner that was cleared out only to their No. 6 who hit a dipping shot from 18 yards that came off the bar. The ref then blew up and we could all try and start again to do it better in the 2nd half !

In the first 4 minutes we should have scored at least 2 goals. First one came from a throw that saw a shit from Shaun dragged wide.  Then just after it was crossed into Gav who had a headed effort go wide too. Then the best chance fell to Derek who got the ball 8 yards out on the right but he shot weakly and didn’t trouble the keeper. It wasn't until the 18th minute when Derek got another chance a bit wider out but his chipped shot went just over. On 25 minutes soem really good play in the middle saw Derek battle to get control of the ball, go pst 2 defenders and lay the ball to Zander wide right in the box, he hit a great high curling shot over the keeper and into the far side of the net for a class goal. For the next 10 minutes or so the lads played some great footie on the deck, passing around Ellon and frustrating them. On 28 minutes some good interplay saw Gav get the ball about 25 yards out, he laid it inside the box with a great reverse ball to John, who had replaced Shaun earlier, but his goal bountd shot was deflected wide for a corner. A minute later we got a free kick wide right, Gav tried one of his curled right footers but it was just over the bar.

In the end we really worked hard for this result, after half time the quality improved when the lads realised they could outplay Ellon and there was some good controlled possession in midfield that stopped Ellon from making any sort of chances. The defence were magnificent too, restricting Ellon to half chances and Scott hardly had to make a save.

So although it was a hard worked win, there was also a lot of good stuff to admire too. Next week a similar result will see us leapfrog Banchory into 4th place in ther table, just as long as it is this Maud who turn up !!

Match Stats

Grahams Report

MAUD ARE WINNERS IN LOCAL DERBY

In what turned out to be a scrappy game with both teams finishing with 10 men, Maud did enough to take the 3 points. For the first 5 minutes it seemed to be all Ellon as Maud struggled to settle. Maud worked hard and a good run down the left by Campbell finished with a cross in that Ellon's defence cleared. Maud felt hard done by as a stonewall penalty claim was waved aside. Maud finally settle down and started to play some tidy football. A good won corner for Maud was crossed in and only a goal line clearance saved Ellon. Campbell of Maud received a straight red for head butting Reid of Ellon as their attack broke down inside Maud's box. Down to 10 men Maud survived several chances by Ellon who failed to capitalise on having the extra man. Ellon worked their way up the left by way of several throw ins. The final throw in was launched into the box, flicked on by Reid but Arthur headed clear and the rushed follow up flew well over the bar. Reid of Ellon received a 2nd yellow which meant he also received his marching orders. Down to equal players Ellon had the best chance just before half time when a poorly cleared corner fell to Forsyth who lined up the shot which rattled off the crossbar.

Maud wasted 2 chances from the restart from Middleton and Jamieson. Good play down the left by A Davidson who crossed to McKechnie. Lining up a shot from about 10 yards out it failed to trouble the keeper. Ellon won a free kick about 35 yards out. Crossed in it was flicked out by Arthur for a corner which came to nothing. A flurry of yellow cards were produced as the ref struggled to keep control of the game. A great through ball fell to McKechnie who lined up the shot which shaved the wrong side of the bar. Finally Maud broke the deadlock in the 70th minute when a crossed ball to McKechnie was flicked onto a Davidson. Cutting into the 18 yard box he lined up the shot which went in over the keepers head. Good play by Maud saw Willox who had just come on as a sub for Jamieson fire in a shot which unluckily was blocked by Craib. Again Willox found himself in the thick of the action this time winning a free kick right on the edge of the 18 yard line about 10 yards out. Fired in by Middleton it dipped too late and shaved the top of the crossbar. Final whistle came as Maud kept Ellon on the defence and running out winners for the second week in a row gives them confidence for next Saturdays game at home against Banchory St Ternan with a 2.30pm KO.

A couple more photos from Ted this time.