SIX OF DEE BEST

One of the most difficult to beat teams in Scottish lower league football at the moment, many people may see Banks O' Dee as something of a big fish in a small pond. Many failed attempts of application to the Highland League in recent years may soon be forgotten however, as Dee, currently boasting a 100% record in the North Superleague, will look to finally claim promotion this year as the pyramid system rightfully opens up across the country. However, tonights fixture sees a break from league action, as the North Junior League Cup comes to town, with Newmachar United of 2 divisions below make the 10 mile trip to Spain Park.

This rearranged fixture almost gave the impression that this was a game that came as an inconvenience for both teams. Newmachar stating on social media that many of their team were unavailable, plus the thought of facing a Dee team that had scored 15 (yes, FIFTEEN!) goals against Islavale in the same competition just 4 days earlier, was bound to come across as daunting at the very least. Dee however would look to get through this game unscathed in any way, as a much bigger test against Turriff United in the senior Scottish Cup awaited at the weekend.

Amazingly, given this is the 80th team I have visited, this was my first visit to Aberdeen, and only the second time in my life I had ever been in the granite city. A chilly night was on the cards as I made my way into the sports complex that houses the ground. It is a community use area, and a decent sized one at that, but Dee have done well to make the brilliantly named Spain Park their own. I am guilty of having a rather judgemental look upon multi-use complexes in the senior game, but this ground has made me re-asses my mindset on the matter. A recently renewed 4G surface looked brilliant under the floodlights, and a tidy looking grandstand with room for around 120 spectators, with a small terracing area in front gives the place a real professional feel. Fencing surrounds a large chunk of the ground, with both ends behind the goal largely unsuitable for spectators. The only other area with unrestricted viewing is on the side opposite the stand, with a few rows of terracing running the length of the touchline, and 2 new enclosures keeping fans protected from the elements.

The game started with darkness covering the Aberdeen skies, and it became obvious very quickly that the home side were, as predicted, the more dominant of the two. Chance after chance, corner after corner, were however, well defended and cleared by the Newmachar back line. Anytime the away side threatened to cross the halfway line, Dee were there to sweep up and start another wave of attack. Shots from distance from the home team were either comfortably saved, or flew just wide. There was a sense of when rather than if, the first goal was coming, and eventually on 24 minutes the deadlock was broken, but not by the team you would expect! Totally against the run of play, Newmachar managed to get forward and under no pressure whatsoever, the Dee keeper botched his clearance, leaving 'Machar to send a cross into the box, striking a defenders arm. Matthew Tough cooly dispatched his penalty into the bottom left corner to give the guests a surprise 1-0 lead. Dee continued to press just as the did before the goal, and less then 3 minutes later, parity was restored when Lewis Crosbie struck a left footed shot, which took a deflection that was enough to beat the stranded keeper. 1-1. The deserved lead came on 34, when after a smart corner kick routine, Michael Philipson managed to get a second bite of the cherry after his first attempt was blocked, blasting home for 2-1.

HT 2-1

The second half started in exactly the same vein, total domination from the home side, and as I took my seat in the Gordon Christie stand for the second half, the game was well and truly wrapped up in a whirlwind 10 minute spell, with 4 goals all coming from moves starting on the right wing. On 51 minutes a free kick from the right was whipped into the 6 yard box, and under pressure from Dee player Gilmour, the away defender Young bundled the ball into his own net for 3-1. A very smart, almost backheel flick finish from an unmarked Robert Armstrong made it 4-1 after a low cross. A smart right footed half-volley from Crosbie made it 5 on 59 minutes, and Craig Mackaskill made it 6 less that 2 minutes later when he rounded the stranded keeper, and slotted past the last defender gallantly trying to defend his goal. After Saturdays fifteen goal showing, thoughts began to turn to "how many?". However, one man that never, ever gave up was Newmachar goalkeeper Simon Mitchell. He continued to make save after save, and looked absolutley determined to keep the scoreline down, no matter what. The away side did manage to make a few forays forward as Dee pushed bodies up front looking for more goals, but the tired legs from defending wave after wave of attack were evident as their shots were either comfortably saved, or went harmlessly wide.

FT 6-1

All in, this could have been a much higher scoreline, if not for the heroics of Mitchell in the away goal. Dee look very capable of playing at a higher level, and their defeat of Highland League Turriff in the Scottish Cup before this blog was written, just goes to prove that. Newmachar, in a decent position in the North second division, will look to keep improving in the league and keep working towards promotion.

Banks O' Dee 6-1 Newmachar United

Crosbie (27, 59) Tough (pen 24)

Philipson (34)

Young (o.g. 51)

Armstrong (54)

Mackaskill (61)

15/09/2021, 7:30pm

North Junior League Cup, Group Stage

Spain Park, Aberdeen (ground no. 80)

Admission: £5

Attendance: 72 (headcount)

MOTM: Simon Mitchell (Newmachar) plenty standouts for the home team, but this man did incredibly well to keep the score down, pulled off save after save, and looked out on his feet by the end.

Match 537 (17th of season)

As usual, full photo gallery can be found under the Photos tab!