Post match report

Ellon 2 - Hermes 2

Ellon United’s home league fixture against Hermes ended all square at 2 - 2 at The Meadows last weekend. The visitors created the better overall openings but it was United who went in front twice only to be pegged back on each occasion. United had to play out the closing 20 minutes with 10 men thanks to a very controversial refereeing decision which could only be explained by the official himself.

Hermes keeper Reid had to look lively to turn away a well struck free kick from Andy McCraw for a corner in the 7th minute. Another well worked free kick from United almost paid dividends in the 12th minute. Matty Edmond crept in at the back post to square Chris Huggins’ cross back across the face of Reid’s goal with Scott Paterson and Chris Huggins both just failing to get a vital touch. Hermes responded with a quick break but Macklin’s cross went behind. A minute later Macklin ran on to a good through ball only to send his shot well wide.

Ellon took the lead in the 19th minute. Scott Paterson met Reid’s kick out and knocked the ball into the path of Matty Edmond. He found Chris Huggins who ran clear to slot the ball into the bottom corner. A Freeland free kick put pressure on the home defence. The United defenders looked to the referee to award a free kick but play went on with the ball eventually scrambled clear. The Ellon defence had a let off 3 minutes later when the ball was knocked back into the danger zone by Hermes following a corner. The visiting front men looked to be well offsides but no whistle went and fortunately the chance was wasted. Hermes kept up the pressure with a McKay snap shot flying wide then McKendrick moved forward to get on the end of a Freeland free kick but was unable to direct his header on target.

United hit back with Neill Irvine finding Matty Edmond whose cross was cleared only as far as Steve Gunn who chipped the ball forward for Chris Huggins but he had strayed offsides. A 42nd minute free kick from Chris Huggins curled just beyond Reid’s far post but it was the visitors who snatched a dramatic last minute first half equaliser. The United camp were furious that the visitors were allowed to play on despite getting the advantage from a blatant hand ball with McKay on hand to finish off with a fine header.

Hermes grabbed the 2nd half initiative without managing to cash in. United threatened in the 53rd minute when Steve Gunn and Chris Huggins linked up to find Scott Henry whose shot was deflected for a corner. Ellon regained the lead mid way through the 2nd period with Keith Robertson getting a touch on a wicked in swinging free kick from Andy McCraw.

Hermes hit their second equaliser in the 76th minute thanks to some very poor defensive work by Ellon which presented Sim with his opportunity. A minute later United were reduced to 10 men when Keith Robertson was red carded following an off - the - ball collision. The Referee who had no Assistants to help him on the day was in no position to witness what had happened but unfortunately took it on himself for some unknown reason that an elbowing offence had occurred which warranted a red card.  The home side defended resolutely for the closing 20 minutes play to keep the visitors at bay and even managed on occasion to offer a threat to the Hermes goal.
   
ELLON UNITED: Bowman, Annand, Allsop,  McCraw, Henry, Gunn, Irvine, Paterson, Robertson, Huggins, Edmond. Subs: Bruce, Fletcher, Slesser, Petrie, Clark.

HERMES: Reid, McKendrick, Adams, Freeland, Campbell, Sinclair, Macklin, Paterson, McKay, Sim, Hamilton. Subs: McKinistry, Morrison, Milne, Strachan, Davidson. 

United visit Banks O’ Dee on league duty next Saturday. KO 2:30pm. The Spain Park side will be smarting following two successive poor results in their Emirates Scottish Cup Tie and then last week’s defeat by East End.