By Lewis Michie
Relegation for Stonehaven last season was obviously a disaster, it would be for any side, but the demotion has also given the Hive an opportunity to rebuild and re-focus, and that has given Martyn Rollo’s team a promising start to the season.
The Hive made it two wins from two in the league with a 4-0 win over Buckie Rovers on Saturday, following progression in the Regional Cup and a second place finish in the group stage of the Grill Cup (although not enough to progress there).
Calum Watson netted twice, with Adam MacLennan and Jordan Morrice each adding a goal. At the moment, this puts Stonehaven in second place on goals scored, but they’ve played a game less than – and actually beaten – leaders Aberdeen University.
NE98 spoke to Stonehaven Manager Martyn Rollo, to get his thoughts on the season so far.
He said:
We have had a solid start to the season. The Grill Cup was a very up and down affair with a win, draw and defeat. Hermes gave us a major wake up call in the first game but since then we have won 4 from 5 games and kept 3 clean sheets in the process so it came at the perfect time.”
The Hive gaffer knows the league season won’t be easy:
The league is going to a tight one with a number of teams dropping points already. We have been taken two wins from two though in the league with the victory against Aberdeen University particularly pleasing, coming back to win 3-2 after being 2-0 down.”
Saturday we have a tough match against Sunnybank. They had a decent Grill Cup and I expect them to be challenging come the end of the season so I look forward to the game.”
Things, in fairness, haven’t been all plain sailing for the Glenury Park side, but Rollo is finding positives no matter what, he said:
On the flip side we have had horrendous luck with injuries losing 4 players to long term injury already. This does however give others a chance to come into the team and seize their opportunity which has so far proven the case.”
Johnshaven’s winning start to the season came to an end at home to close rivals St Cyrus this past Sunday as they were beaten 3-2.
They still sit second, level with the team that beat them, however have played a game more than many of the teams around them.
It hasn’t been an easy start in the Premier Division of the Aberdeenshire Amateur ranks for Cowie Thistle – they’d not won a game, only drawing twice – before this weekend, when Ross Adie’s side beat Rattrays XI 5-3 away from home.
Ryan Causby netted a hat-trick with Aaron Causby and Oldroyd also netting.
The club reacted on Facebook saying:
A great team performance, first half especially, second half the lads battled when they had to, on yet another terrible pitch, making sure we got our first win, hopefully this kick starts our season!”
Elsewhere in the Division, it was a bit of a disaster for Bervie Caledonian, thrashed 8-0 at homer against Echt.
It is probably little surprise that such a result might occur in a game where an outfielder – Craig McKenzie was forced to play in goal.
We had every possible result for Mearns sides in the Premier Division last weekend as St Laurence were held to a 2-2 draw by hosts Insch.
Craig Garrow and Ewan Slesser netted the goals in this one.
The Saints currently sit fifth, five points adrift of league leaders Echt, who have played a game more.
In the Division One North, Stonehaven Athletic were beaten 2-0 by Faithlie United, meanwhile in the East division Ac Mill Inn were held to a 2-2 draw by Dyce ITC Hydraulics.
Stonehaven Ladies still sit in the relegation zone of the SWFL Division One North – even though they came closer to a positive results. Losing 4-3 to Montrose Ladies.
NE98 