Post match report

Ellon 2 - Hall Russell Utd 1

Ellon United and Hall Russell United had to contend with atrocious overhead conditions in their league match at The Meadows last weekend along with the other teams in the region with one Junior fixture postponed and one abandoned after 72 minutes played. Special mention should also be made of the hardy spectators who braved the conditions to support their teams. Ellon’s efforts were rewarded with a narrow 2 - 1 win to give them three welcome points. The home side gave a first outing to striker Duncan Chalmers who joined the Club last week on a temporary transfer from Turriff United.

The rain which had threatened stayed off until kick off time and then forgot to stop with Ellon having the wind and rain at their backs in the first half. Both sides found it difficult to control the ball under the conditions. Ellon held the slight upper hand in the opening period without managing to produce too much of an early threat but they did make the breakthrough in the 19th minute when Calum Annand’s dangerous through ball was cleverly flicked over the stranded keeper by Matty Edmond. Ellon were unable to build on their lead before the interval with the sides going in for a welcome break at 1 - 0.

Hall Russells were all square after only three minutes into the second half. The visitors broke quickly with Donald cutting neatly inside his marker and crossing for Shaw to head home. Ellon recovered quickly from their disappointing start to the half and regained the lead five minutes later. The home side forced a free kick some ten yards outside the Hall Russell penalty area with Andy McCraw curling a great strike into the top corner.

Understandable errors were a regular occurrence but the teams worked hard to get to grip with the conditions and all credit to the players and officials for their efforts. Cammy Bruce and Keith Robertson were denied by keeper Duguid at one end with Richard Bowman regularly called on at the other to take the pressure off his defence as they took their turn to face the elements. It took a fine save from the Ellon keeper down low to his right hand post to prevent the visitors snatching a second equaliser.
  
ELLON UNITED: Bowman, Annand, Allsop, McCraw, Henry, Petrie, Huggins, Gunn, Chalmers, Bruce, Edmond. Subs: Robertson, Fletcher, Slesser, Irvine, Reid, Clark.

HALL RUSSELL UNITED: Duguid, B. Milne, Cortes, Clark, Mitchell, Russell, Donald, M. Whitfield, J. Whitfield, Shaw, Dunn. Subs: Brands, Robertson, S. Milne, Innes, Ingram, Carrol, Simpson.

Ellon United are on Emirates Scottish Junior Cup action at The Meadows next Saturday when Blantyre Victoria are their visitors. The tie kicks off at 2:00pm and season ticket holders are reminded that their tickets will not be valid as it is a Scottish Cup Tie.