This Saturday's 16s match was the first of a double home fixture of Dyce v Deveronvale as the 14s play on Sunday.

In the first half Dyce were mainly back to their frustrating ways after a great Scottish Cup win.  All over the pitch, there was not enough pressure placed on 'Vale; no second ball was won and defensive hesitancy caused confusion.  In saying that, Dyce should have been two up in the first 10 minutes.  Good passing in midfield saw the ball played out wide and excellent balls back into the box gave the strikers great chances to score but the easy chances were missed.  Then, in 15 minutes, a silly free kick was given away in a dangerous position and, as the ball was played in, the Dyce defence was slow to attack the ball allowing a 'Vale striker, with his back to goal, hook the ball over his head into the net for the opening goal. 0-1.  With about 10 minutes left Buchan was sent off for what appeared to be an innocuous challenge when he raced into the box with the ball and was involved in a collision with a defender and the onrushing goalkeeper.  'Vale had shown Dyce how to compete and win the ball so they could produce attacking moves.

Half time 0-1.

A sweaty half time "talk" took place and Dyce equalised within 2 minutes of the restart when Mearns reacted quickly to tuck the ball home following good leading up play by Andy and Callum Smith. 1-1.  Then 4 minutes later Dyce allowed a 'Vale attacker to stroll through midfield and as the defence stood off he struck a shot into the net from outside the box. 1-2.  In the 52nd minute C. Smith drove into the box with the ball at his feet and was brought down.  Hunter dispatched the penalty into the net with his usual composure. 2-2.  A few minutes later Mearns battled to win the ball in midfield and forced himself through the defence and the result was a good third goal for Dyce. 3-2.  Ten man Dyce competed well for the remainder of the game and came off with a hard earned win.

Full time 3-2.

A superb battling comeback in the second half from Dyce with A. Smith's prompting, probing passes causing problems for the 'Vale defence.  But Dyce will have to learn to stop giving goals away and produce more composed and effective defending throughout the 80 min.