Stonehaven Ladies were left frustrated after a deteriorating pitch played a part in their loss to Buchan this past weekend, and now they’ll look to get back on track with potentially the toughest possible fixture – as they host Aberdeen on Sunday.
Becca Conn got Stoney’s only goal of the game in a 3-1 loss to Buchan in Maud, leaving Stonehaven eighth in the league table.
Stonehaven play host to Aberdeen – who are yet to drop a point, although sit second on goals scored behind Dunfermline Athletic – on Sunday.
Stonehaven Manager Matt Smith spoke to NE98 about the Buchan game, and the feeling in the camp in the build up to facing Aberdeen.
Smith said:
“We went into the game (Vs Buchan) with the belief we could take points off of Buchan and I believe had the weather not deteriorated the pitch to a sticky mess, the match may have ended with a different result.”
“All in all not a disappointing performance from the players, just a disappointing result.”
On the game against Aberdeen, Smith said:
“Technically, this Aberdeen team should still be in Prem 2, so that in itself is quite daunting when we ourselves were in Division 2 last year.”
“Both Harley (Hamdani) and Emma (Hunter) at Aberdeen have a fantastic group of players full of regional and youth internationals.”
“These are the games we look forward to, the games we can go toe to toe with the best in our region.”
Finally, Smith told us about his feelings on the beginning to the season, and his squad’s best qualities, Smith said:
“Points on the board early in the season eases the nerves, the last time we were in this division we didn’t get our first points until after the summer break.”
“(We have) resilience and fantastic team morale. So far the step up in quality has been exactly what we expected but we have fought for the full 90, which is all I can ask for from my players as a manger.”
“We discuss and set out a game plan week-to-week, which Kenny and I work on during our training sessions but it’s very difficult at this level to gauge exactly how the opponents will line up and play.”
Elsewhere, Stonehaven have given themselves an even better chance of surviving in the Juniors Superleague, as a 4-0 win over Culter this weekend takes them out of the automatic relegation places – albeit, possibly only temporarily as the sides around them have games in hand.
Rob Armstrong scored twice, with Jordan Morrice and Calum Watson each also getting on the scoresheet.
The Club’s Facebook account described the win, saying:
“The whole team to a man were superb, with multiple numerous candidates for man of the match, however talisman Rob Armstrong has to take it today with his two goals.”
Next up as the club look to remain in the top division in the Northern Juniors is another tough game against Montrose Roselea – who currently sit third in the division.
There were mixed fortunes for the Mearns’ sides in the Premier Divison this weekend.
First, Cowie Thistle are back to winning ways, and in emphatic fashion. Now up to second place, they thrashed mid-table Westdyke 6-1, with a hat-trick from captain Robbie Lovick helping Cowie to the win. Smith, McDonald and Johnston – who was later sent off – also got on the scoresheet.
The club’s Facebook page said: “Another comfortable 3 points and a good reaction after last week’s disappointing defeat”
Cowie are still five points adrift of first placed Sportsmans club, and third place Woodside have games in hand to overtake Cowie, but they’ll be happy to have taken over second position at least for a little while.
Cowie take a break from league action this weekend, they’ll travel to face Stoneywood East End in the fourth round of the Aberdeen FC Trophy.
Meanwhile, St Laurence are sixth after a 2-2 draw against second bottom RGU.
Blair Shearer and Matthew Crabb netted the goals for the Laurencekirk side, Who’s Facebook page said: “Saints battled back to equalise twice gaining a point but feeling like we had dropped two.”
St Laurence take on Newtonhill away from home this weekend.
Bervie Caledonian achieved a massive result, which has them really challenging for promotion after beating Bridge of Don 2-1 away from home.
Rhurie McCallum scored the first – his first goal for the club – although reports suggest the wind might be due an assist. Scott McKenzie would knock in the re-bound from a shot saved by the keeper, for what would eventually be the winner.
The home side had been sitting ahead of Bervie in the build up to the game, now Bervie are third, with a game in hand over second placed Rattrays XI, who are just a point ahead.
Newburgh thistle appear to have run away with the league title, but second spot would still guarantee promotion to the Premier Divison.
The club’s Facebook page said:
“A great battling performance with glimpses of good football from us yesterday. The game was played in good spirits after the wind threatened to make a mockery of it.”
Bervie are also away in league competition this weekend, up against relegation threatened – but currently fourth bottom – Kincorth.
AC Mill Inn lost out away from home, 2-1 to JS XI – which leaves Mill Inn 6th in the league.
The club’s Facebook page said:
“It was a disappointing result today after a positive first half.”
“A lack of fight and spirit from Mill Inn meant it was a fairly easy finish for JS who took all 3 points.”
Inn will look to recover from the loss this weekend, playing away to Kaimhill, who are fourth and two points better off in the league table.
Stonehaven Athletic missed an opportunity to go further ahead at the top of Division Two North last weekend, and now they’ve given up the top position in the table altogether after losing 3-1 to theologians on Saturday.
No prizes for guessing the Athletic scorer – Louie Sawyer has been netting goals all season and his one goal wasn’t enough to inspire his side to victory on Saturday.
They are now second, one point behind FC Polska, who have two games in hand, and third place Cammachmore also have two games in hand, trailing by just two points.
The club’s Facebook page said:
“Dismal performance”
“Promotion now hangs in the balance for us after a terrible performance plus result today.”
It’s a highly important clash at the top of the table for Athletic this weekend as they host league toppers FC Polska – a must win.
It was a mixed week for the youth sides in the Mearns. Firstly, on Saturday Stonehaven’s under 19’s enjoyed a 4-3 victory over the Middlefield Wasps in the ADJFA League B.
Stonehaven United YFC in the 17’s B league weren’t as fortunate, losing 4-2 to Huntly, similarly to their Under 16 counterparts in their Castle Trophies semi-final, as they lost to Deveronvale.
On Sunday, Stonehaven YFC United’s under 15’s also tasted defeat in the C League, losing out to Colony Park 4-0.
It was better luck for the Under 14’s side in the league’s section 1, thrashing Thistle FC 5-1, while their 13’s side lost out in the B League by the same scoreline, to another local side, Bervie Caley.
Finally, another one of Stonehaven’s under 13’s sides won by the massive scoreline of 13-1 against Portlethen, while Stonehaven Youth FC Madrid’s under 15’s were beaten 5-0 by Lewis United Youth in the semi-final of the Belmont trophy.
Here are the fixtures for the Mearns’ sides this weekend…
Montrose Roselea Vs Stonehaven, McBoookie Superleague, Links Park Montrose, Saturday 2PM
Stoneywood East End Vs Cowie Thistle, Aberdeen FC Trophy Fourth Round, New Advocates Park Aberdeen, Saturday, 2PM
Newtonhill Vs St Laurence, Premier Division, Newton Park Newtonhill, Saturday, 2PM
Kincorth Vs Bervie Caledonian, Division One North, Tullos School Aberdeen, Saturday 2PM
Kaimhill United Vs AC Mill Inn, Division One East, Kaimhill (Grass) Aberdeen, Saturday 2PM
Stonehaven Athletic Vs FC Polska, Division Two North, Jim Glennie Park, Stonehaven, Saturday 2PM
Stonehaven Ladies Vs Aberdeen FC Women, SWFL Division One North, Mineralwell Park Stonehaven, Sunday 2:15PM
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