Mearns Football Weekly: December Week One 2018: Another draw for Stoney, Cup frustrations for Bervie & More!

There were no wins for the Mearns sides in action this week, but there was certainly still progress made for one of the teams. Stonehaven have turned their losing streak into a drawing streak – we speak to coach Martyn Rollo about how they can transform that into a winning streak.

Stoney had lost three games in a row, but they’ve now turned that into a run of two consecutive stalemates in the McBookie SuperLeague.

Stoney drew 2-2 with midtable Hall Russell United this past Saturday. Jordan Morrice & Rob Armstrong notching a goal each for the Hive.

Having held league leaders Montrose Roselea last weekend, Stonehaven’s coach Rollo admits himself, his side could have and maybe should have taken all three points on at least one, if not both, occasions.

That said, a couple of draws is certainly progress from being beaten three games on the bounce. NE98 had the opportunity to speak to Stonehaven’s coach Rollo about his team’s recent results.

Here’s what Martyn had to say:

“In both games we were unlucky not to pick up wins however, we have shown great progress from earlier in the season when we lost to both of these teams.”

Before the two draws, Stonehaven might have feared the worst, finding themselves at the bottom of the table. While the draws don’t give them any help – in fact they have now slipped into the second automatic relegation spot and will go bottom if Maud win their two games in hand – the performances will maybe signal a light at the end of the tunnel.

Points are hard to come by in the SuperLeague, but it won’t take many to leapfrog multiple teams with how tight things are. A point Martyn acknowledged:

“Only four points separate the bottom six teams in the league and in truth there are other teams that will be pulled into the dog fight in what is a highly competitive league.”

“There is not much between the top and bottom sides so picking up wins by the odd goal will be pivotal as the season progresses.”

Dyce Juniors side just a point ahead of Stoney, and Rollo’s side will be travelling across Aberdeen for a game with the league’s tenth placed side this weekend.

Martyn said of the game:

“This Saturday is a massive game away to Dyce who we have already beaten at home. They have been reenergised of late since the interim appointment of Mark Bartlett as manager so it will be a tough match.”

You really cannot overestimate just how tight the bottom end of the SuperLeague table is. Stoney could jump over four other teams into ninth place if they win on Saturday with other results going their way.

Bervie Caledonian’s Kintore Trophy Centre Association Trophy Second Round clash with Westdyke was postponed last weekend due to rain. The game went ahead on Saturday at the second time of asking, but unfortunately it was a loss for Bervie.

Frazer Cerretti netted twice, with Mick Harper grabbing another, but that couldn’t prevent a 6-3 loss for Caley.

Bervie sit fourth in the Division One North, although their multiple games in hand give them a great chance of propelling themselves to second place, and four wins out of four for their additional games would put them two points off top spot.

League action will have to wait once again for Danny Melvin’s side however, they’ve got a Rainbow City Taxi’s Stephen Shield semi-final to focus on. Bervie host Rattrays XI this Sunday for a spot in the final. Rattrays currently sit second in the same division as Bervie, but they’ve played three games more.

St Laurence and Stonehaven Athletic were the two amateur Mearns sides involved in league fixtures this past weekend. It was disappointment for both though.

St Laurence sit sixth in the Premier Divison with Rothie Rovers breathing down their necks following a 5-3 loss to third placed Cove Thistle. Rothie are likely to overtake the Laurencekirk based side however, they’ve got six games in hand (Yes, six.)

The goals for the saints this past weekend came from striker Calum Watson’s brace and another for winger Billy Irvine.

The Saints travel to take on bottom side Insch this Saturday.

Stonehaven Athletic’s hot and cold streak has seen them slip to fourth in the Division Two North. Despite starting the season with a bang, things haven’t quite stayed consistent for Athletic as of late. A 2-1 home loss to mid-table Blackburn this weekend was probably unexpected.

Lewie Sawyer’s penalty was Athletic’s only goal of the game. Not all is lost for their hopes for a league title and promotion however, if they win their two games in hand, Athletic will sit just a point adrift of table topping FC Polska.

Athletic will host bottom end of the table University Colts this coming Sunday as they look to get back to winning ways.

Neither AC Mill Inn nor Cowie Thistle had a game on Saturday. Both are back in action this weekend though.

Cowie of the Premier Divison play hosts to defending champions and league topper Sportsmans Club, while Inn could jump a place to fifth with a win away to Beacon Rangers.

 Full Fixture List for Mearns Sides This Weekend –

Dyce Juniors Vs Stonehaven – Ian Mair Park, Dyce (Saturday, 1:30 Kick-Off)

Bervie Caledonian v Rattrays XI Booth Park, Gourdon (Saturday, 1:30 Kick-Off)

Cowie Thistle v Sportsmans Club, Mineralwell Park, Stonehaven (Saturday, 1:30 Kick-Off)

Insch v St Laurence Recreation Park, Insch (Saturday, 1:30 Kick-Off)

Beacon Rangers v AC Mill Inn, Bucksburn Academy, Aberdeen (Saturday, 1:30 Kick-Off)

Stonehaven Athletic v University Colts, Jim Glennie Park, Stonehaven (Saturday, 2:00 Kick-Off)