Overall, it was a difficult weekend for the Mearns sides with losses and a postponement, although AC Mill Inn did claim the sole Mearns win for the weekend.
Stonehaven did originally take the lead through Rob Armstrong in their home game against Superleague Champions Banks O’Dee. Unfortunately for the Hive their lead wasn’t to last and they remain bottom of the league.
Winton, Phillipson and a McLeod double for Banks O’Dee saw the champions continue their assault on this year’s championship with Stonehaven unable to contain Dee’s attack.
Ultimately, results against title favourites probably won’t be a decider for Martyn Rollo’s Stoney, but they’ll need to improve their fortunes against the sides around them to get themselves off the foot of the table.
Speaking to NE98 a couple weeks ago, Rollo stated how important upcoming fixtures after the Christmas break will be. Rollo said:
“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.”
St Laurence were unfortunate to be knocked out in the second round of the Rainbow City Taxi’s Aberdeen FC Trophy after extra time against Stoneywood East End.
A final score line of 2-1 prevented the Laurencekirk club from progressing further in the competition. Laurence Bayfield scored the only goal of the game for the Saints.
The club’s Facebook page described the game saying – “With Saturday’s conditions ruining any attempt to try and play football, the game was always going to be a battle.”
“Credit to SEE and we wish them all the best in the next round.”
Two Mearns teams were set to compete in the third round of the tournament, however only one game went ahead.
Heavy wind caused the postponement as Bervie were set to host Premier Divison side Insch. By the sea in Gourdon certainly wouldn’t have been the ideal place for a game of football in Saturday morning’s fairly horrendous conditions.
The game would have been Bervie’s last for 2018, so it will be a fairly long gap between their last game – a loss in their league cup semi-final last weekend – to their next fixture following the Christmas break.
The only win for the Mearns was AC Mill Inn’s third round progression. The Division One East side beat Glentanar Reflex 3-2.
Michael Anderson initially equalised for Inn, with Darren Yates grabbing a brace to give Inn the win.
Some joy in cup competitions is always a major plus for amateur sides; Inn will now be chasing an opportunity for a few big match days.
Cowie Thistle were involved in league action in the Premier Division, although they were unable to see off Old Aberdonians, despite playing at home.
A 3-2 loss will be frustrating for Cowie’s coach Ross Adie. Captain Lovick and substitute Craig grabbed the goals for Cowie.
While Cowie’s position is still strong, sitting fourth with a host of games in hand over two of the three sides ahead of them. Their showing last season might have provided hopes the team could continue to push higher up the league. Dropping points at home will not be helpful in the aims of doing that in such a competitive league.
Stonehaven Athletic’s inconsistent form continues in The Division Two North – a 5-2 loss to Auchnagatt Barons is another dent in Athletic’s title ambitions.
Sawyer and King scored what turned out to be consolations for Athletic.
Athletic are now seven points adrift of top ranking FC Polska and with just a single game now in hand, other teams hold the cards. Cammachmore and Kemnay also sit above Athletic. Cammachmore have played the same amount of games and are ahead of goal difference, both Athletic and Cammachmore could leapfrog second placed Kemnay by winning the games they have in hand.
Athletic had started their season like a house on fire; however while plenty goals have still been finding the opposition net, too many have gone the other way.
Back in August NE98 spoke to Tommy King from Stonehaven Athletic who spoke about the sides ambitions following their excellent start.
King said:
“The aim is to bounce straight back up and we have made a superb start but there is still a long way to go and the lads aren’t getting carried away.”
Unfortunately for Athletic, finding consistency is exactly what the club need to do – that is only more difficult with fixtures likely to be sparse over the next month between the Christmas period and potential call offs.
Not much in the way of competitive fixtures coming up in the next week as we enter the Christmas period.
There are however a few friendlies taking place, with a surprising result from earlier this week as Cowie Thistle faced Stonehaven.
Of course, with Stonehaven sitting in the regions Juniors ranks, there may have been expectations they’d beat Cowie – that certainly wasn’t the case with Thistle winning 7-0.
McDonald scored a hat trick, Nicoll scored twice and Irvine & Watson grabbed a goal each for the Premier Divison side.
Their Facebook page the match as “One of their best performances in recent years.”
The page also keeping feet firmly on the ground saying:
“Of course only a friendly but a definite confidence booster after recent results.”
Cowie will however, play another game before 2019. They’ll face Bridge of Don on the 29th of December in another friendly – that game will kick-off at 12:30.
Mearns Football Weekly Articles will resume on NE98 following the winter break. In the meantime, have a fantastic Christmas and good luck to each side when they return to action.
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