St Laurence survived the drama of a penalty shoot-out to progress to the Third round of the North of Scotland Cup this past weekend.
The Premiership side hosted Divison rivals MS United in Laurencekirk. Both sides are just two points apart in the Premier Divison, so it was anticipated to be a tight clash.
A 3-3 draw after extra time, St Laurence went on to win 3-2 on penalties.
NE98 had the chance to speak to St Laurence head coach David Easton. David was speaking about his side’s cup progression, as well as how the season has went so far.
David Said:
“The guys dug deep and battled well to come through 100 minutes, with only 10 men, to eventually win on penalties.”
St Laurence currently find themselves fifth in the Premier Divison, not bad going following promotion to the league last season.
Regarding the team’s beginning to the campaign, David said:
“We are happy with how the season is going so far. We’ve had a large number of injuries to deal with which has led to a spell of inconsistency but we are starting to come through this and our performances have gradually gotten better.”
St Laurence will take a hard earned break this weekend with no scheduled fixtures.
Stonehaven Juniors could find themselves in a real relegation battle if things continue the way they have. A 4-2 defeat this past weekend to Nairn St Ternan was Stoney’s third loss in a row.
The team still occupy the same position – 12th, the relegation playoff spot – but things are becoming increasingly close at the foot of the McBookie Superleague. Maud, sitting just above Stoney, and Dufftown sitting just below are level on points with the Hive. Dyce Juniors who are in the automatic relegation spots along with Dufftown are just a point behind.
Just one win, with the right results elsewhere, could propel Stonehaven up three positions and another win could help leapfrog another two sides into the top half. That shows just how close everything is.
There really couldn’t be a tougher game for Stoney to look to turn it around this coming weekend though. Martyn Rollo’s team will host league toppers Montrose Roselea – who are undefeated this season.
Back to the amateur ranks and two more local sides were involved in the Second Round of the North of Scotland Cup.
Bervie Caledonian couldn’t repeat their cup heroics of the previous weekend as they were knocked out by Cove Thistle. It was never going to be easy for Bervie, facing a side from the division above, away from home with 11 first team players missing.
A narrow 2-1 loss in the end, Bervie will feel as though they certainly gave their all, although progression in another cup would have been a plus.
David Salmond notched Bervie’s only goal of the game.
Caley host Premier Division Westdyke in the Second round of the Kintore Trophy Centre Association Trophy this Saturday. With Westdyke at the lower end of the Premier Division table and Bervie harbouring hopes of promotion, this will be a good test to see if they’re ready for the step up.
Cowie Thistle also experienced the pain of elimination from the North of Scotland Cup. Their opponents Rothie Rovers trail them by six points in the Premier Divison (Although, they do have a game in hand.)
Another 2-1 defeat for a Mearns side away from home, Cowie may have felt a little bit more disappointed with the result in comparison to Bervie.
Cowie will switch focuses to the Kintore Trophy Centre Association Trophy on Saturday as they host Division One East leaders Echt.
The amateur sides certainly had a good time in league action this weekend. Ac Mill Inn and Stonehaven Athletic both picked up wins.
Ac Mill Inn sit fifth and are one of three teams – along with Banchory Amateurs and Kaimhill United – sat on 21 points. Inn sit seven points off of league leaders Echt and just four adrift of second placed Tolbooth – although both have plenty games in hand.
Inn are away to Insch in the Second Round of the Kintore Trophy Centre Association Trophy this weekend. Insch are currently bottom of the Premier Divison.
Stonehaven Athletic are back to winning ways, picking up a 4-1 win over Auchnagatt Barons in Divison Two North.
Striker Sawyer netted a brace, with Stewart and Gunn also grabbing a goal each.
The win lifts Athletic to third, four points adrift of FC Polska, who have played two more games than their league rivals.
Athletic face a difficult task in the Second Round of the Rainbow City Taxi’s Aberdeen FC Trophy this weekend. They’ll host Woodside who sit second in the Premier Divison, with a good chance of winning the league altogether.
Here are the fixtures for this weekend for all the Mearn’s sides, if you’re free, get yourself along…
Stonehaven Vs Montrose Roselea (1:30PM Kick-Off) Glenury Park, Stonehaven
Bervie Caledonian v Westdyke (2PM Kick-Off) Booth Park, Gourdon
Insch v AC Mill Inn (2PM Kick-Off) Recreation Park, Insch
Cowie Thistle v Echt (2PM Kick-Off) Mineralwell Park, Stonehaven
Stonehaven Athletic v Woodside (2PM Kick-Off) Jim Glennie Park, Stonehaven
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