5th April : Culter BC 3 Meadows 3

Today’s game was played over 2 x 25 minute periods.  The weather was bright but cold and windy.

Ellon started the game brightly with John trying his luck.

Michael charged down the flank but his cross found no takers.

Culter took the lead with a high powerful shot from out wide which dropped in over Gavin’s head.

Thomas played in a ball to Michael who turned and fired in a shot only to find the woodwork with the keeper beaten.

More good work from Thomas on the flank set up Michael who fired low into the bottom corner.

Ellon were playing well with Matthew and Bradley playing the ball out from the back and linking well with the midfield. Ben was making his presence felt in the centre of the park, winning the ball and distributing it effectively.

Ellon took the lead when Thomas and Bradley combined well from a short corner to allow Bradley to lash the ball home from the edge of the box.

John turned well and lost his defender but his shot was just wide.

Half time : Culter BC 1 Ellon Meadows 2

Ellon continued to push on from the restart and Thomas had a shot well saved.

Culter drew level when their winger progessed down the flank and cut a ball into the Ellon box. Ellon struggled to clear and in the resultant stramash Culter forced the ball home.

Good work on the flank from Kyle set up John but he was closed down well.

Brilliant link up work from the Ellon boys saw a combination of passes strung together before Thomas fired in a shot that was well saved.

Gavin then made a great save to deny a Culter forward.

Culter were pressuring Ellon now and Bradley had to make a great last ditch block to foil another attack.

Ben sent Michael through with a measured pass but the Ellon forward’s shot screamed just over the bar.

Ellon were unfortunate when Thomas took a throw in, fed Michael who turned and fired in a cross/shot which slipped through the keeper’s hands and ran along the goal line with nobody around to force the ball home.

A clever interchange of passes between Michael and Thomas saw Michael play a through ball which Thomas lashed home past the despairing keeper.

 Culter were not giving in however and forced a series of corners. After one of these Gavin made a tremendous double save to foil another goal attempt.

Kyle cut in from the left, steadied himself and fired in a powerful shot which shaved the outside of the back post on its way wide.

It looked like Ellon might hold out for a well deserved win when a long ball forward bounced awkwardly over the defence allowing a Culter forward to latch onto it and finish well.

Ellon continued to press to try and regain the lead but their efforts were in vain as time ran out on them.

Full time : Culter BC 3 Ellon Meadows 3

Tremendous play from the boys today.  Fighting back from a goal down to take the lead had a visible effect on the Ellon team’s confidence and they proceeded to play some of the best football they have played for a while.  Culter were good opponents who were confident on the ball and in the end a draw was probably a fair result.  The boys should take heart from their performance today and look to carry their good play on to the next game.

Only 8 players today as Scott and Alexander were not available.

Goalscorers : Michael, Bradley, Thomas