Stonehaven’s League woes certainly haven’t carried over to cup action – with the relegation threatened Superleague side booking their place in the Domino’s Pizza North Regional Cup semi-final, following a 2-1 win over Buchanhaven Hearts.
Calum Watson and Rob Armstrong have been no strangers to scoring this season and that continued as both found the net to see Stonehaven through their quarter-final tie.
The game appeared to be heading for a penalty shootout, before in the dying seconds, top goal scorer Rob Armstrong’s corner found its way directly into the net.
A tie against either Hall Russell United or Hermes – both of whom sit above Stoney in the league table – awaits for Martyn Rollo’s side.
NE98 spoke to Rollo about the game, and Stonehaven’s ambitions overall.
Rollo said:
“This weekend was a really good result which was well earned with a battling performance. It is never easy travelling to Peterhead and the game was a real battle as the opposition were clearly highly pumped up for the game.”
“We left it late to secure the win but had been knocking on the door for a long time before that.”
“It’s nice to have a good cup run with us having a tough time in the league this season.”
Looking ahead to the next round on the cup, Rollo said:
“We now play the winner of Hall Russell and Hermes in the semi-final away from home, both are strong sides.”
“We will approach that game in a confident mood though and look to progress.”
Rollo was quite rightly quick to insist “One game at a time though” in regards to the fact, Stonehaven have a big game in the league to contend with this weekend.
Bottom of the league, Stoney face a difficult challenge, hosting fourth placed Culter.
Stonehaven are firmly in the relegation zone, but with a team like East End just four points ahead – having only played one game less, as opposed to Maud who are two points ahead but with five more games to play – they’ll surely be setting their sights on making a great escape.
Stoney actually defeated Culter in the previous round of the cup, and while Stonehaven will take confidence from that, Rollo suggests Culter have transformed since then.
Rollo said:
“They have had a drastic make over since a new management team were appointed so we expect a tough game. But at home we have to be looking to take three points.”
Stonehaven Ladies were not in action this past weekend – having already been eliminated from the League Cup – but they’ll be back on the pitch this Sunday as they travel to take on Buchan Ladies.
Buchan are yet to drop any points this season, with two wins out of two – but having picked up their first win of the campaign last time out, Stoney will have every reason to go into this one with confidence.
The amateur ranks contained a mixed bag of results on Saturday.
Cowie Thistle will be pushing to finish as high up in the Premier Division as possible this season, but despite sitting a point adrift of second placed Woodside – this weekend’s result against the afore mentioned Woodside suggests a top two finish may be out of reach.
A 6-2 defeat saw Cowie brushed aside as they visited Woodside, although they are still quite securely inside the top three – sitting seven points ahead of fourth placed MS United, with three game in hand.
Lovick and McDonald had scored to put Cowie two up early doors, but unfortunately Woodside mounted a substantial comeback.
The club’s Facebook page said:
“A lesson to be learnt today for the team, after a fantastic start they conceded so many poor goals and no doubt Woodside deserved all 3 points.”
Cowie host Westdyke this weekend, they’ll be hoping to get back to winning away against a side sitting fourth bottom in the division.
The Bervie Caledonian game ended in the same scoreline at Booth park – but Bervie will be much happier than Cowie, as it was Caley running out 6-2 winners over BSFC in the Division One North.
The win has Bervie just two points off of Rattrays XI – with two more games in hand – and with Rattrays in second (A position that comes with a promotion place) they’re still very much in contention to go up. Although Caley do sit fourth, so will also need to leapfrog Bridge of Don.
Finlay McCallum, Connor Freeman x 2, Cerretti x2 and Callum Morrison scored for Bervie.
The club’s Facebook page said:
“There were a lot of players who could’ve been named the ‘man of the match’ but it was Craig McKenzie who put in a great shift.”
Next up for Bervie is a big promotion clash against Bridge of Don. A win away from home against another promotion hopeful would surely signal some real intent from Bervie.
There were less goals in the Division One East, but AC Mill Inn certainly would have been disappointed as Nicolls Amateurs beat their visitors 1-0.
A result which leaves Inn 6th, with Nicolls breathing down their neck, just two points behind – while the clutter of teams in front of Inn by just a few points have all played less games.
The Club’s Facebook page said:
“A tough game for Mill Vs Nicolls ended in disappointment after a strong squad couldn’t finish their dinner.”
Mill are away to mid-table side JS XI this weekend – JS have taken 18 points form 18 games this season, but have only drawn 3 times.
Finally in the Amateurs, Stonehaven Athletic wasted a golden opportunity to put themselves five points clear at the summit of Division Two North, as they lost out 5-1 to Cammachmore – who even in fourth place, might have put themselves into title contention.
Athletic are still two points clear of FC Polska – who have two games in hand – but they could have made things look even better in the league table if they’d taken advantage after Polska were defeated 3-2 by Blackburn. Cammachmore also have two games in hand and would go one point above Athletic, should they take maximum points from those.
Anderson grabbed Athletic’s only goal – top goal scorer Sawyer was unavailable for the match, and could have made a difference.
The Club’s Facebook page said:
“A poor display and results for the boys, but we need a reaction next week.”
Should Stonehaven still have ambition to win the division this season, they will need to defeat second bottom Theologians on Saturday.
Stonehaven Youth FC were beaten 7-3 by Longside in the 19’s ADJFA League B, with the 17’s side also suffering a difficult result – losing 4-0 to Culter Thistle.
Stonehaven Youth FC Madrid were beaten 1-0 by Newmacher United in the 15’s B League on Sunday, with Stonehaven FC United beaten 2-1 by West End FC Reds in the C League.
Stonehaven Youth Under 14’s had a highlight reel of a game, with a 5-5 draw played out between themselves and Kemnay FC.
Better local results in the ADJFA U13’s B league, with Bervie Caley thrashing Kintore United 7-0 and Stonehaven United also picking up a win as they beat East End Lewis Youth Gold 3-2.
Finally, Stonehaven’s side in the ADJFA League C Section 2 enjoyed a thumping 11-0 win against Culter Juniors.
Here are the fixtures for the Mearns’ sides this weekend:
Stonehaven Vs Culter, Juniors Superleague, Glenury Park, Stonehaven, Saturday, 2PM
Cowie Thistle Vs Westdyke, Amateur’s Premier Division, Mineralwell Park, Stonehaven, Saturday, 2PM
RGU Vs St Laurence, Amateur’s Premier Divison, Kaimhill, Aberdeen, Saturday, 2PM
Bridge Of Don Vs Bervie Caledonian, Amateur’s Division One North, Westfield Park, Aberdeen, Saturday, 2PM
JS XI Vs AC Mill Inn, Amateur’s Division One East, Groats Road, Aberdeen, Saturday, 2PM
Theologians Vs Stonehaven Athletic, Amateur’s Division Two North, Hazelhead, Aberdeen, Saturday 2PM
Buchan Ladies vs Stonehaven Ladies, SWFL Divison One North, Maud Juniors FC, Maud, Sunday 2PM
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