Ian Napier Memorial Final on Sunday 28th September
Report by Raymond Morrison
RGU turned in a top of the class finishing lesson to their country rivals Rothie Rovers when they met in the final of the Ian Napier Memorial Trophy. Colin Napier, Ian’s brother Colin was on hand to present the trophies and thank both teams the officials and the Aberdeenshire Amateur Football Association for organising the game on behalf of his family and in the memory of his brother Ian who was tragically killed in a motor cycling accident 34 years ago.
RGU were competing in their first game of the season and had lost a few players during the closed season to Highland league side Deveronvale, however, this didn’t seem to hinder them as they took control of the game and put pressure on the Rothie defence with Priestly bursting past two players before whizzing a shot across the six yard box.
Rothie finally succumbed to the pressure in the 20th minute when Priestly unleashed a shot from the edge of the box which flashed past Garden in the Rothie goal. Rothie almost hit back immediately when Pugh rounded Brown only to see his shot blocked by a RGU defender.
Four Minutes from half time RGU doubled their score when Campbell met a well delivered a free kick into the six yard box and bulleted a header past Garden. No sooner had Rothie taken the kick off when they fell further behind when Scott ghosted past two players and directed his shot just inside the left hand post.
Half-time: 0 – 3
Rothie must have been given a roasting at half time because they looked a different team when in quick succession Pugh first of all saw a header come off the post into the hands of Brown. Pugh had another chance when Moir went down the right wing and crossed for Pugh whos shot went wide of the left hand post.
Against the run of play RGU hit on the counter attack and Priestly finished off the game to make it 4-0 to the students.
Full Time: 0 – 4
