Today saw the boys return from holiday to face Culter at Skene school.  The squad was down to the bare bones as holidays were still playing their part in disrupting the normally hard selection choice.

Ben returned from a few Sundays away and he looked as cool and laid back as ever. He sauntered over to Mark’s car for his strip. He sauntered back to his dad’s car to get changed. He sauntered past me with a laid back ‘all right?’. He sauntered through the warm up and then , to be honest, he sauntered through the game. His reading of the game and what is unfolding in front of him buys him that extra second or half a step that allows him to look ever in total control. I am sure that had we had Ben’s services against Albion we would never have lost.

So the line up as follows- Nathan , Ben, Mattie, Brad, Angus, Liam and Ryan.

The game started brightly with an early shot from Ryan being deflected for a corner. After a few brief exchanges between the teams RYAN latched onto a through ball from Angus and scored at the second attempt after his first shot was well saved. 1-0.

Liam then had a go after a through ball from Ryan but his shot was deflected for a corner. The game went through a tight five minutes with Angus making a couple of good runs and crosses one after another. These were followed by a good ball from Liam which found Ryan who had a good run and cross.

And I’ll give you one guess who had now taken a hold of the midfield? Yip you’ve got it – Big Brad. What does he have for breakfast? Up and down and up and down the pitch he goes. ‘Reminds me of me when I was young’ announced Stuart, Brad’s dad.’ Really’ said Andrena ‘ I can’t imagine you ever had that much hair!’ Cheeky I thought.

Brad had a shot go wide before a clever ball through by Ben was met with the side of the foot by RYAN to give Dyce a 2-0 lead.

3-0 followed quickly as ANGUS converted a through ball from Ryan.

4-0 ANGUS again from a Liam corner.

5-0 after RYAN ( who was now looking as sharp as the picture on one of those LCD tv’s sold at BOOTH FOR BETTER SERVICE [Webmaster edit: what about some sponsorship?]) latched onto a long ball.

The above goal spree was followed by one off the post by Brad and a Liam shot deflected for a corner.

So all rosy in the Dyce camp at this point with Mattie and Ben swapping ex-girlfriends phone numbers and Nathan counting sheep in the next field.

Then, as in an old Batman and Robin film, – *POW* 5-1,  *WHACK* 5-2, *BLAM* 5-3 with half time in between.

At this point the holidays seemed a distant memory to Mark as a touch of urgency rippled through his body all the way down to his metallic blue football boots! Had Culter woken up or had Dyce gone to sleep? A few shouts in the right places from Mark and a gee up from Brad’s dad (who by this time had moved into the sun to recharge, as it had turned really cold) to Brad and normal service resumed with LIAM making it 6-3. Brad then unleashed a power shot from well out which rattled off the bar before being turned in by LIAM. 7-3.

Dyce were back to playing good passing football starting from the back with Mattie and Ben using the ball well after good throw outs from Nathan. It wasn’t long before it was 8-3 after another good move involving Liam, Brad and finished off by RYAN.

9-3 After a good 1-2 between Brad and Ryan for BRAD to put it away.

Culter rallied again to pull it back to 9-5 with a penalty and a turn in from a corner.

10-5 LIAM again.

Next it was Angus who ripped Culter apart with a great run and cross which was met by Liam’s head and flew over.

11-5 after good fighting and persistence wide from RYAN saw his shot squirm under the keeper into the net.

12-5 when a shot by Ben was saved And the follow up put in by RYAN.

13-5 LIAM again.

Again Angus moved down the wing with ease before putting in another great cross for Liam to again head over.

14-5 RYAN after a long ball through from Angus.

15-5 this time it was a great strike by LIAM.

Angus decided to have another go down the wing and delivered yet another cross into the box. As the ball flew through the air Angus screamed ‘NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO’ as he saw Liam rising to head the ball again. Everyone on the side line held their breath, the whole thing went into slow motion ‘LIIIAAAMMM for yer maaaammmie’ was the shouted plea from Sharon. Would he , wouldn’t he?

OH NO HE’S PUT IT OVER. Liam couldn’t believe it as the ball sciffed off his forehead over the bar.  No gel for you next week young man!

This was soon forgotten as BEN ran onto a through ball from Brad to make the final score 16-5.

A cracking performance by the boy’s who all ran their hearts out as there were no subs.