1st Touch Football Divison Two (North) at Woodside on Monday 13th August
Report by Andy McLaren
Turriff Thistle manager Raymond Williamson insists his side are bang on course for a second successive promotion after thrashing Glendale Youth 5-0 at Woodside.
The Aberdeenshire side re-united in 2011 and won promotion to Division Two (North) in their first season.
Thistle’s boss played for Turriff for 16 years before taking over the reins and believes “the only way is up” for the club. He said: “The team was at its lowest point when it folded but a few of the lads decided to give it a fresh start last season.
“I have always said that the club belongs to the players, not me. The guys all know each other really well which almost makes for a sort of community spirit in the club. I only guide the lads during matches and it seems to be working well so far.
“We are lucky to have 5 boys who previously played for Turriff United in the Highland League. Last season was exceptional but we want to better that this season.”
The win means Turriff have now scored an impressive sixteen goals in three matches.
Thistle, who brushed McTeagle aside in their previous match, came close to an early breakthrough when Phillip Burnett could only thrash a shot wide after a clever pass from Clarke Morrison.
After a frantic 15 minutes, Turriff’s dominance soon paid off as Morrison calmly slotted the ball past the onrushing Barry Robertson to open the scoring.
The Aberdeenshire side soon made it 2-0 on 20 minutes. Glendale’s experienced goalkeeper lost the flight of the ball from a teasing cross, leaving Brian Killoh with the easy task of nodding it into the net.
Turriff grew in confidence and continued to pile the pressure on Robertson’s goal.
Chances went begging before half-time for Killoh who could only head over from 5 yards before Clarke Morrison’s thundering drive rattled the crossbar.
Half-time: 0 – 2
Glendale could consider themselves very fortunate to have only been down 2-0 at half-time, but soon lost a controversial third goal on the hour mark.
Turriff’s Phillip Burnett appeared to have shouted “leave it” to a team mate but the referee waved play on and substitute Mark Robertson made no mistake from 10 yards, leaving the Glendale faithful bemused at the decision.
Thistle’s man of the match, Clarke Morrison, continued to tirelessly chase down the opposition and forced Ross Beattie into an error, leaving Mark Robertson with the simple task of slotting the ball past the perplexed goalkeeper.
Martin McLeod then rounded off the scoring to make it 5-0 on 80 minutes with a well taken finish leaving Robertson in goal with no chance.
Full Time: 0 – 5
