1st Touch Football Division Two (East) at Newtonhill on Saturday 25th May
Report By Scott McPherson
Cammachmore beat Monymusk 3-0 to maintain the chance of an unprecedented three-way relegation play-off at the bottom of Division Two (East).
The win, which relegated opponents Monymusk, means Cammachmore finish level with Theologians on 29 points and if Trophies International draw their final game on Monday night all three teams will finish with 8 wins apiece and 29 points if they win they will be in the fight to avoid filling the third relegation spot however if they lose they will be automatically relegated.
Cammachmore defender Kieran Gray admitted he has “never heard of anything like it before”.
He added: “It’s unreal. I’m not even sure how a three-way play-off would work but we will just have to wait and see if it is needed first.
“A few of us (Cammachmore players) are going to the game Monday night to cheer on AC Mill Inn.”
And even if a three-way relegation play-off doesn’t materialise, defender Kieran Gray, whose brother Stuart also plays for Cammachmore, says it’s still been an exciting league.
He said: “If you look at Division Two (North), two teams are well adrift at the bottom of the table.
“But it’s not like that in this league. Five or six teams still had genuine relegation fears with only a couple of games to go in the league.
“Apart from the top two it’s been a really tight league and must be great for any neutrals.”
Both teams went into the game in the bottom three knowing that a defeat would relegate them to Division Three. Cammachmore were given a nice nerve settler early on when an own goal gave them the lead after five minutes.
Craig Edmonstone’s deep free kick was headed into his own net by defender Alex MacRae who was desperately back pedalling trying to head the ball away from danger.
Cammachmore nearly doubled their advantage shortly after from another free kick. This time Craig Geddes shot directly and his 40-yard effort smashed the crossbar.
It was then Monymusk’s turn to hit the woodwork as they came inches from an equaliser. The ball fell kindly for Liam Braton but his side foot shot from 18 yards hit the post and bounced out.
Cammachmore’s response was to again rattle the Monymusk crossbar. Ian Smith’s 25-yard shot was well tipped on to the ‘bar by goalkeeper Grant Forsyth.
Half-time: 1 – 0
After the interval the home side missed two great chances to give themselves some breathing space. Both Barry McLean and Craig Edmonstone were guilty of blasting the ball wide of goal from a few yards out at the back post.
The closest the visitors came in the second-half was when Andrew Moss dispossessed Kevin Tinkler on the left wing before cutting inside and shooting low but it was well held by ‘keeper Richard Gove.
The majority of the hundreds of spectators that came to watch the match breathed a strong sigh of relief when Cammachmore made it 2-0 with 12 minutes remaining.
Monymusk defender Alex MacRae allowed the ball to bounce over his head and striker Jordan Gray latched on to the ball before ‘keeper Grant Forsyth to strike the ball into the vacated net.
In stoppage time the hosts added a degree of comfort to the score line as they scored a third. Conor Bannerman rolled the ball through for Jordan Gray who confidently drilled the ball into the top corner from 15 yards.
Full-time: 3 – 0
Monymusk are relegated after one season in Division Two (East) after being promoted from Division Three last season. A slight consolation for them may be that 27 points would have kept them up in last season’s Division Two (East).
