The Meadows, Ellon United
I’ve been to the Meadows on a number of occasions, including visits with football and hockey teams whilst using the amateur and astroturf pitches located next to the junior pitch. As there is no surrounding fence blocking viewing from outside the pitch, i’ve seen games being played there, but had never actually been to a game. However on the 29th of December 2012 I had a free afternoon and Ellon United hosted Banks O’Dee juniors in the North Region Superleague and I decided to attend. The hosts were sitting mid table whilst the visitors were chasing Hermes at the top of the league. Dee came into this on the back of a heavy 5-0 home defeat to Hermes so would be looking to bounce back as soon as they could.
There wasn’t much goal action during the first half in winter conditions. A lot of the game was played off the ground in a very physical battle between the two sides, with Dee slightly making better of the possession. Neither keeper was really troubled in this half and it took until roughly the 20th minute for the first shot on goal; Banks O’Dee’s forward beat two men and the ball dropped to his strike partner but his shot from 20 yards fell straight to the keeper. Ellon were next to threaten as their wide man was put through on goal but his shot went well over the bar and almost found the car park! There wasn’t much more action in the half with most shots going wide, over or resulting in easy saves for each keeper. Half time finally came with both managers looking to boost their team’s morale.
Banks O’Dee came out with a bit more urgency in the second half and I’m pretty sure the Dee keeper didn’t have a touch of the ball. Dee made a few substitutions who were doing their best to make an impact, but still Dee couldn’t find a break on goal. A lot of Dee’s play came from the right flank with both their wide man and full back working their way down but struggling with the final ball. The left side of midfield however were producing better balls but Ellon were defending well. Dee pushed on and on desperate to find a winner and the longer the game went on the more you felt it wasn’t coming. But eventually they did get rewarded for their hard work when their forward was brought down in the box in a result of a penalty. I originally felt the foul was made outside the box by the defender but the referee felt the keeper caused the forward to fall inside the area. Despite awarding the penalty, the keeper did not get cautioned. The Dee midfielder stepped up and took the penalty but the Ellon keeper guessed correctly to make a good save and keep the scoreline at 0-0. Ironically, I could see a game going on to the pitch next to his one and there was a penalty awarded to one team who missed in the same fashion to the one during this game. Dee made a final substitution, taking off the forward who won the penalty and replacing him with another forward. The Sub had his chance to win the game but his header just sneaked wide of the near post. Dee eventually managed to find a winner when their wide man played a looping ball over the defence which found the head of his teammate who nodded the ball into the top right corner. The visitors were ecstatic and all gathered on top of the goal scorer to congratulate him. The full time whistle blew and Dee had won the game at the last gasp.
At the end of the day it wasn’t the best of games to attend but as they say “don’t stop until the final whistle has gone” and that is exactly the attitude the Banks O’Dee players took. This result could prove vital at the end of the season as Dee continue their fight to bring back the silverwear to Spain Park. Ellon will be looking to get a few more points on the board to avoid threat of relegation to Division 1. Full time, Ellon United 0-1 Banks O’Dee.
