Division Two (North) at Newtonhill on Saturday 17th March
Report by Scott McPherson
University Colts warmed up for their pending Cup Final on Wednesday with a Jekyll and Hyde performance against Cammachmore. Both teams opted for an attack over defence strategy which produced a fine spectacle.
University started the scoring within the first 10 minutes. Cammachmore’s stand-in centre back went to clear the ball before slipping, presenting striker LYBAK with an opportunity which he turned into a goal, smashing the ball with his left foot in off the post from the left hand corner of the box.
Cammachmore’s bright spark was undoubtedly striker Ryan Causby whose pace was a constant nuisance to the Colts defence. He could have had a hat-trick before he eventually levelled for the hosts. A cross from left winger Hadingham wasn’t cleared properly and opposite winger Edmonstone who slid the ball into CAUSBY who placed the ball into the net from 6 yards.
The home side were buoyant after that goal and would have been ahead if it wasn’t for a superb stop from player-manager Jackson-Platt. Striker Causby was involved again as he rolled the ball into the path of playmaker Simpson 8 yards out who’s effort was heading for the top right hand corner before the ‘keeper reached out a hand to see it wide.
The game stabilised for a short period of time before a bit of quality separated the sides. Oliver MEADOWS curled an unstoppable 25 yard free kick over the wall and into the top corner from the middle of the goal.
Cammachmore goalkeeper Richard Gove was then forced to make 3 incredible saves for his team. Striker Lybak was first to be denied, he curled a low shot from the edge of the box before Gove pushed it wide. His strike-partner William Monteith was then denied twice. His strike from 6 yards went low to Gove’s left and he managed to get down low and palm it wide. His feet were next to deny Monteith; as he improvised and used his knee to direct the ball into the corner before Gove stretched his left leg to deny him.
Gove was eventually beaten again but it took an own goal to do it. The ball was drilled across goal by University winger Chris Nicol, as full back Smith cleared the ball, he inadvertently hit the ball off the heel of fellow defender Kris EMSLIE into the unprotected goal.
Colts were dealt a blow as lively frontman Lybak had to be withdrawn due to a hamstring injury. It never looked like affecting them negatively as left back Stephen Rutherford instantly smashed the ball off bar with a half volley from a corner.
Four minutes later Gray was caught in possession in his own half and the ball found its way to MONTEITH who took his shot early from 20 yards which gave the ‘keeper no time to get down, as he curled the ball into the bottom corner to give his side a 3 goal lead at the interval.
Half-time: 1 – 4
If University were brilliant in the first half, they appeared to just be going through the motions in the second half, although, it could have all been very different if it wasn’t for Gove’s best save of the game. Winger Nicol pulled it back to utility man Martin Rennie who smashed the ball from 4 yards before inexplicably, Gove managed to get in the way of it and glance it off the post.
Cammachmore were visually lifted by the ‘keeper’s heroics. Andrew Smith had a header cleared off the line and then from the resulting corner, striker Causby was denied by a goal-line clearance, despite him being adamant that it had crossed the white line.
Shortly after they pulled a goal back after some great play up the left wing from Danny Hadingham, he beat two men before whipping the ball in for substitute Calum GRANT who mishit his first effort, before reacting first to sweep in the loose ball.
The home side were given a helping hand through a soft penalty decision in their quest to get back into the game. A flick from Simpson hit the hand of a defender and the referee pointed the spot. You could have said it looked harsh, as the defender couldn’t get out of the way; he was only a few yards away.
Cammachmore were denied a stronger looking penalty claim in the first half and you have to believe that was in the referee’s mind. Soft or not, Shaun SIMPSON confidently stepped up to smash the ball into the net, the ‘keeper barely had a chance to move before it hit the net.
The game seemed to be slipping away from University Colts as the momentum was well and truly with the home side. Simultaneously, Cammachmore were an inch away from making it 4-4. A corner was cleared from the box and it was met by left back Patrick McCarron on the half volley who smashed the ball off the bar from all of 30 yards. The goalkeeper was helpless and the bar stayed rattled for minutes after. If University thought they were out of the woods, they still had one last scare.
With the last kick of the game, Edmonstone missed a golden opportunity when a loose ball fell to him in front of goal. The ball pin-balled through defenders and Edmonstone was free on the right corner of the 6 yard box but he could only slot narrowly wide of the far post. He immediately fell to his knees, quickly followed by the final whistle.
University Colts would have been kicking themselves if they hadn’t won the game after missing a hatful of chances. Credit to Cammachmore for playing until the final whistle, and playing their part in what was a fantastic game to watch.
Full Time: 3 – 4
