Football has returned to the Mearns following the Christmas break, although it wasn’t a happy return for most local sides. Two games were postponed while none of the Mearns sides that did play were able to pick up a win.
The local juniors side Stonehaven continue to struggle at the foot of the SuperLeague table. The Hive were defeated 3-1 by Colony Park, which will be seen as a big missed opportunity by Stoney considering Colony sat just a point ahead of them before the fixture.
Martyn Rollo’s side now sit bottom of the league, five points adrift of 11th placed Dufftown who are in the first position safe from relegation or a relegation playoff. Dufftown have played two games less, but Dyce Juniors are also on the same amount of point having matched Stonehaven’s games played.
NE98 had the opportunity to speak to Stoney manager Martyn Rollo at how his side plan to mount a attempt at survival over the final ten games.
Rollo said:
“The aim of the club has always been to stay in the SuperLeague and that has not changed.”
“We have given ourselves a tough challenge but with ten games left the bottom of the table is still very tight.”
Stoney have added to their squad brining in goalkeeper Reece Duncan as well as Calum Watson who Rollo described as an “experienced goal scorer.”
Rollo also said:
“We will pull together and battle for every point. We have had some very tough breaks over the past few games but at times we play some entertaining football. If we can cut out the mistakes it will go a long way to ensuring our safety.”
Stonehaven host seventh placed East End on Saturday – The Hive will be desperate for a result to make the table more comfortable viewing.
In the amateur ranks, two games were postponed due to weather.
Stonehaven Athletic’s Division Two North game against Feughside was called off, as was the Premier Division game between Newtonhill and Cowie Thistle.
Athletic return to action in a Rainbow City Taxis Hans Fyfe Trophy quarter-final match against league rivals FC Polska. Meanwhile, Cowie face Beacon Rangers in the third round of the Aberdeen FC Trophy.
Bervie Caledonian travelled to take on Insch in the third round of the Rainbow City Taxis Aberdeen FC Trophy. Unfortunately for Caley they will not be progressing in the competition after a 2-0 loss.
Caley do however; finally return to league action this coming weekend. With multiple games in hand on their league rivals Bervie are hosting Alford.
AC Mill Inn were held to a 0-0 draw by Nicolls Amateurs in the Division One East. Inn currently sit sixth, two points ahead of Nicolls.
They’ll face third bottom Ellon Thistle this Saturday.
This weekend’s Mearns Fixtures (Saturday):
Stonehaven Vs East End, Glenury Park, Stonehaven, 1:30 Kick-Off
Cowie Thistle Vs Beacon Rangers, Mineralwell Park, Stonehaven, 1:30 Kick-Off
Stoneywood East End Vs St Laurence, New Advocates Park, Aberdeen, 1:30 Kick –Off
Stonehaven Athletic Vs FC Polska, Jim Glennie Park, Stonehaven, 2:00 Kick-Off
Bervie Caledonian Vs Alford, Booth Park, Gourdon, 1:30 Kick-Off
Ellon Thistle Vs AC Mill Inn, The Meadows, Ellon, 1:30 Kick-Off
NE98 