HUNTLY FOOTBALL CLUB

Yesterday, (3rd September), The Huntly 19's were in action in their last Section 1 match of the Murray Cup opening round, away at Davidson Park Inverurie, against local rivals (and Section 1 Favourites), Colony Park. we needed to beat Colony park to attain the prestigious "A League status" for the Season ahead, and also to make sure we go into the next round proper of the Murray Cup. This had all the makings of a classic game, with a winner takes all approach to it. I told the Huntly lads prior to Kick Off to treat this like our Cup Final, because of what was at stake in the game, and also simply to enjoy the game, this they certainly did on both counts!

We went in to the game needing the win, due to our unfortunate late goal defeat against one of our nemesis teams, Glentanar. They had beaten us the previous week at the Meadows, 3 - 2 (Michael Masson and Shaun Gair our scorers then) courtesy of a rather dubious free-kick awarded to them inside the last 10 minutes, which they duly netted to steal a VERY fortunate win, as we had loads more chances and possession throughout than Glentanar had and the very least Huntly deserved was the draw!

Anyway, enough of last week, let's focus on our superb performance yesterday against Colony Park. This was the 19's equivalent of a Locos V. Huntly game and was a good game for our lads who played some really good passing Football throughout. Colony took the lead early on, when we were still settling, with a rasper of a drive from their attacker, it fizzed into the net past our unfortunate Keeper Scott Sinclair, who could do little about it. This only proved to be a mere set-back though as we rolled our sleeves up from then on and proceeded to dictate play against our "more fancied" opponents. We missed a few chances from then on, and Colony also threatened when they hit the bar and post. Huntly equalised through a wonderful free-kick from EUAN WOOD, the Keith lad  hammered the ball past the Colony Keeper from some distance out to get us back all square in the game at 1 - 1. This was his first goal back in the Black and Gold of Huntly since returning to us from Elgin City's Youth set Up, in the Summer.

I had made a few changes to the starting line up from the previous week against Glentanar, and they were definitely working as my new Central Midfield pairing of Euan Wood and Connor Melville were winning almost everything in the Centre and really dominating possession and general play for us. I picked these 2 to do a specific job in the centre for me as they are both extremely hard working lads, full of running, Euan is a superb passer and also wins his fair share of challenges, Connor is always full of running and has a real fighting, never say die spirit, as you would expect for a Northfield lad! Anyway, these 2 were superb for us yesterday. Half Time arrived with the score level at 1 - 1.

Myself and Jim Masson (who is going to help me out on Match Days now) had a word with the lads at the break, and basically told them to keep on playing in the style they were playing, etc. We went 2 - 1 ahead when our captain RICHIE BROWN, came forward from his Right Back position to unleash an unstoppable drive from well out that flew past the Colony Park Keeper and into his top right hand corner of the net, a real screamer! 2 - 1 to Huntly now! We were now on the front foot and dictating play and Colony were reduced to having pot shots from long range, which was never going to worry a Keeper of our quality, Scott Sinclair. We looked really strong down the left hand side, with Lewis Walker playing superb at left back with Scott Cooper in front of him. Chris Sutherland also was playing well on the Right Hand Side of Midfield, full of strong running. Chris was unfortunate to pick up a yellow card, however, when the Ref deemed him to have handled the ball deliberately, Chris immediately acknowledged he had handled it and freely admitted it to the Ref, who simply ignored his words and booked him anyway!

We had to make a change when the superb Euan Wood had to come of with an ankle injury, he was replaced by 15 year old (soon to be 16) Kieran Grant. Chris Sutherland also had to come off at his own request (due to his booking), he was replaced by Craig Gordon. We continued to play well and made a few more chances for ourselves, whilst at the same time remaining strong at the back and in the Centre of Midfield. Central Defenders Peter Souter and Michael Watson coping with everything that was thrown at them and also being led superbly from Right Back by our Captain fantastic Richie Brown. I made my last permitted Sub when Shaun Gair replaced the tiring Lewis Walker on the left side, with Scott Cooper moving into Lewis' left back role, Shaun coming on to the Left Side of Midfield. Within a minute of him entering the action, SHAUN GAIR scored with a splendid left footed drive from distance to put us 3 - 1 up now, and seemingly out of sight of our more "illustrious" opponents.

We finished the game stronger, although unfortunately Craig Gordon, my own son, picked up a broken collar bone near the end when a Colony player landed on top of him during a challenge, this unfortunately rules Craig out of action now for the next 6 to 8 weeks, all the lads will obviously wish him a speedy recovery! Our keeper Scott, also picked up a knock, but he should be fine for our forthcoming Mid-Week Scottish Youth cup Tie at Christie Park against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Anyway a 3 - 1 win was achieved and we can now look forward to "A League" status (the 3rd Huntly Youth Team to have this, this season!) some achievement! We are also now through to the next round of the Murray Cup. Our Man (or Men) of the Match (as I feel it's a joint award this week) goes to Midfield due Euan Wood and Connor Melville for their sheer work rate and good general dominating of the Midfield area. Euan in particular reminded me of a "young Darren Still" the way he played yesterday and Connor's play  reminded me very much of Huntly legend Eddie Copland in his hey day! Well done lads, each and every one of you for a true squad effort!

Yesterday's Huntly Under 19's team was : - Scott Sinclair, Richie Brown (Captain), Lewis Walker, Peter Souter, Michael Watson, Euan Wood, Connor Melville, Chris Sutherland, Scott Moir, Michael Masson and Scott Cooper. SUBS : - Shaun Gair, Craig Gordon, Kieran Grant and Philip Morrison.

As stated earlier in the article, next up for the Huntly Under 19's is the Scottish Youth Cup Tie with Inverness Caledonian Thistle this coming Wednesday evening at Christie park, Kick Off is 8pm, I believe. We would like a decent crowd there to cheer our Huntly 19's lads on against their Premier League, Full-Time opponents. Look forward to seeing you there!