Post match report

Dyce 3 - Ellon 1

Ellon United’s new league campaign got off to a shaky start when they went down 3 - 1 away to Dyce. The home side pushed forward in the opening stages and went ahead through a Neish drive. Dyce doubled their advantage when Cunningham met the ball first time and his effort dipped over Richard Bowman. A neat finish from Reid put Dyce 3 - 0 up although the striker looked to be well offsides when he picked up the ball. United made changes which tightened the ship and Dyce’s stand in keeper Cameron made two good blocks to prevent Keith Reid opening United’s account in the first half.

It was a completely different story in the second half which was dominated by United. The visitors pulled a goal back in the 49th minute through Cammy Bruce but were unable to add to their tally despite their pressure with Scott Henry coming closest with a shot which came back off the bar. Dyce were reduced to nine men in the closing minutes but held out to collect the points.

ELLON UNITED: Bowman, Clark, , McCraw, Henry, Allsop, Henderson, Robison, Edmond, Bruce, Reid, Fletcher. Subs: Pugh, Annand, MacDonald, Irvine, Ord.

DYCE: Cameron, Cheyne, Webster, Murray, Cunningham, Kirkwood, Lyon, Esson, Reid, Neish, Milne. Subs: Dillon, Walker, Cooper, Beattie, Hardie.

Michael Fletcher and Scott Robison returned  for United following their temporary transfers from Deveronvale and Buckie Thistle and United introduced Calum Annand who is on a temporary transfer from Cove Rangers. A niggling injury prevented Chris Huggins lining up and it will be a while before new signing Martin Slesser from Ellon Amateurs can make his debut, having suffered a knee injury in the pre season.