Let me start by wishing our birthday boys "Happy Birthday".  Both Doodsy and Craig had their tenth birthday this week so "all the best".

A worrying thing about Doodsy’s birthday treat was revealed by his dad Big Mark. Mark says that Doodsy had the choice of Aberdeen v Kilmarnock OR High School Musical 3. Doodsy, Doodsy, Doodsy……..how could you? …..I know Aberdeen are poor but to choose High School Musical!!!! The next thing is you’ll be wearing leggings to training!!

Webster park was a busy place to be on Sunday morning with the under 10’s playing and both under 11’s.  LIEUTENANT COLUMBO’S under 11’s played first against Albion in a tough 2-1 win. "I’m confused" muttered Columbo as he passed us rubbing his forehead. "How can we play so well but only score two".  This obviously was playing heavy on his mind as he locked everyone out and went home with the keys.

So to the game. Today it was Donside. Dyce had a strong team and actually had subs! The two Marks started with Nathan-Ben-Doodsy-Brad-Craig-Liam and Ryan with Angus and Mattie on the sidelines.

Good early pressure saw Ben go close with a shot and then Brad after Dyce’s first corner. The midfield of Brad and Craig were in control and playing some great balls through to Liam and Ryan. A great ball through from Craig saw Ryan turn his defender in one move and get away a good cross which just went beyond everyone. After some more good pressure Ryan produced a good cut back to Brad which then saw his shot go wide.

The rest of the first half went the same way with Donside defending very well and Dyce having chance after chance.

Half time  0 - 0

It was at this time Craig’s dad approached me and asked if the Red October had surfaced in Aberdeen’s harbour nodding across to the other side of the pitch. "No" I replied, "That’s Liam’s dad with his cosy Russian style hat on."  "Oh right, but that is another new pair of white trainers he’s wearing isn’t it?"  "Looks like it" I said. "I bet he’s got a pair for the car and a pair for the game."

The second half started the same way with Mattie now on for Doodsy and Angus on for Ryan with Craig moving up front. With Dyce peppering the Donside goal it was difficult to remember  who was Dyce’s defence! Then Nathan saved the blushes of the blues by producing a great save from a breakaway move.

By this time Ryan was back on and beginning to make some headway with some nice turns. On one occasion this turning saw him taken down for a stone wall penalty. As both sets of players walked towards the edge of the box the ref pointed to the corner flag as he only gives a corner! This got to Brad’s dad as he crushed his digestive biscuit with just three fingers! "Ooooo" said Brad's mum, who was handing me a coffee. "I love it when he gets physical!"

The resulting corner saw Ryan's header saved by the keeper and then a shot go wide. This was followed by another save from Ryan,Craig and Brad.

By this time Mark Girling was now looking like the guy from the INTERCASINO advert as not only do they have the same amount of hair but Mark was now two foot four as he paced up and down the same bit of grass until there was nothing left! With ten minutes left it was MATTIE who broke the deadlock with a wonderful long range drive 1-0.

It was Nathan again who saved Dyce straight from the kick off as Dyce’s tackles looked weak and allowed Donside through to shoot. Liam went off to give Angus another run out. It was just after this that BRAD completed a mazy run with a goal scoring cross come shot. 2-0

As the seconds counted down another long shot from Brad was turned in by RYAN who had followed up everything all morning and finally got his reward. 3-0. As the final whistle blew Liam turned, shook his head and said "that was Ryan’s lucky goal."

All in all a solid performance from the boys with some great flowing football which to Donside’s credit did not produce the amount of goals deserved. Nathan deserves a mention as for long periods had nothing to do but then produced three great saves.

I walked across the pitch to join my dad who was with Liam’s dad and granddad just in time to hear (you won’t believe this) Liam’s dad say "I’m just going to the car to change my trainers" I kid you not! He did actually have another pair for driving. Classic!