Post match report

Maud 1 - Ellon 3

Ellon United kept up their good record against Maud with a 3 - 1 win over their hosts at a heavy Pleasure Park last weekend. United’s Martin Slesser looks as if he will be sidelined for another spell, rejoining Kevin Anderson and Ben Chapman on the long term injury list. The Ellon Management Team moved to secure the services of Atholl Cadger and Ross Forsyth on temporary transfers from Formartine United last week with Ross making a start at Maud and Atholl coming off the bench in the second half to complete the scoring. United have also signed Lee Morrison to bring their squad back up to strength. Chris Allsop returned to the United’s starting line up after injury to bolster the defence. In Saturdays’ fixture the contrasting styles saw Maud’s sharper and more intricate passing give them more possession with United’s more penetrating approach creating more scoring opportunities with the visitors deserving to edge home on their chances although they were made to sweat at times.

The first goal threat came from United. Neill Irvine collected a throw in in the 4th minute with Steve Gunn meeting the cross first time only to see his effort go just wide. Ellon opened their account in the 9th minute. Ryan Petrie picked up a loose ball in midfield and fed Cammy Bruce out wide on the left. The striker cut inside his marker before sending in a low cross which was fired home first time by Calum Annand.

Maud almost capitalised on some sloppy defending by Ellon but were pulled up for a hand ball and the chance was gone. Seven minutes later a neat ball from Dane Ballard inside the defender released Steven Whyte but his shot hit the side netting. Ellon moved straight up field from the goal kick forcing a free kick, but the home defence cleared the ball quickly with Alexander Davidson running through only to send his shot straight at Richard Bowman.

United appeared to have a let off when the ball looked to rebound to safety off the woodwork at a Maud corner then Alexander Davidson met a tempting cross from Dane Ballard but was unable to direct his header on target. Ellon hit back with Ross Forsyth meeting a cut back from Matty Edmond first time but his shot was deflected for a corner. Ross Forsyth met another corner from Ryan Petrie but his shot was blocked. The Maud defence were unable to force the ball clear and when the ball broke to Scott Henry the United midfielder was denied by a finger tip save from Scott Cowe who just managed to tip the ball over for another corner.

It was Ellon who added to the scoreline in the 32nd minute with a replica of their opening goal. This time Ryan Petrie fed Matty Edmond out wide and his low cross was met by Cammy Bruce who steadied himself before shooting home. Richard Bowman did well to parry a shot from Jason McDonald with the ball eventually falling to Dane Ballard whose shot was deflected past the post for a corner. Maud came close in the last minute of the first half when Dane Ballard moved clear on to neat through ball but a fine save from Richard Bowman at the striker’s feet kept United’s 2 - 0 lead intact at the break.

Maud struck right at the start of the second half. Alexander Davidson should have done better but was kept out by a fine stop from Richard Bowman at the expense of a corner. United were unable to deal with the cross with Dane Ballard getting his head to the ball to pull the home side right back into the frame.

United almost cashed in on a poor clearance with Ross Forsyth’s first time effort just too high. Scott Cowe miscued a clearance which fell to Ryan Petrie out wide on the right. The Maud keeper made amends with a fine save at full stretch to tip over the United player coach’s net bound chip.

Maud were unable to come up with a telling finish despite their midfield possession and might have been punished when Matty Edmond broke on the left but drove wide. A good run by Cammy Bruce took him past several defenders but was finally halted as he looked to pull the trigger with the ball turned away for a corner. The United striker then set himself up with another good chance only to drag the ball wide.

United continued to carry the greater goal threat. The visitors had a strong penalty claim waived aside when Keith Reid went down in the box then soon after the striker created a good opening for himself but failed to convert. The points were sealed for the visitors when Ross Forsyth neatly chipped the ball over a defender for Atholl Cadger to run on to with the striker scoring with an assured finish.
   
ELLON UNITED: Bowman, Irvine, Allsop, McCraw, Henry, Forsyth, Annand, Gunn, Bruce, Petrie, Edmond. Subs: Paterson, Huggins, Reid, Cadger, Morrison, Chalmers, Ord.

MAUD: Cowe, McDonald, Usher, Arthur, B. Davidson, Walker, Whyte, Ligertwood, Ballard, A. Davidson, Middleton. Subs: Campbell, McKechnie, Willox, Steven.

United are at home next Saturday , completing the first half of their league program with the visit of Banchory St Ternan to The Meadows, KO 1:45 pm.