This last fixture before Christmas saw a return to “domestic” business after the trip to Inverness the previous weekend.  The match was once again played on a bright, cold morning, but this time with a rock-hard pitch which was more suited to ice skating than football.  Ross Irvine was making his debut in goals today, and the team had the luxury of three substitutes.

 

The first attack with a cutting edge was started by Liam Strachan who released Fraser Wyness down the left wing but his cross eluded both Bradley Neish and Matty Dick at the back post.  After some pressure around the Cove goal, they sprung a dangerous attack but Glenn Murison managed to clear the danger at the expense of a corner.  Dyce responded with Bradley on the left cutting the ball back to Bruce Anderson in space but his shot was saved.  Moments later Fraser played a short corner to Cameron Shore , but again the Cove goalie was on hand to make a save.

 

Dyce finally made their pressure count when Liam won the ball at the back and played it forward to Glenn.  As the Cove defence closed him down, Glenn fed the ball right to Bruce on the overlap and he steadied himself before firing the ball across the goalie and into the net.  Dyce were looking to add a second goal, but Cove were holding firm with their goalie saving successive shots from Bruce, Fraser, and Glenn.

 

Next to try his luck was Dylan Smith when Glenn cut the ball back to him, but his shot went over the bar.  Fraser then fired in a powerful shot that the keeper juggled on the line but managed to keep out.  Defending a Cove attack, Glenn won the ball and played a through ball for Dylan to chase.  He got to the ball before the defender, but his shot crashed off the crossbar.  The first half came to a close with Cove on the attack, and with their striker about to close in on goals, Liam arrived in time to clear the danger.

 

Half-time  1-0

 

From the kick-off Dyce went into the attack again but were caught out by a long ball forward and the Cove striker ran clear before placing his shot beyond the exposed Ross and into the net.  Dyce were nearly caught out again when Cove got forward in numbers but Kieran O’Brien did well to stay on his feet and clear the danger.  There was more danger again moments later but this time the Cove shot went just wide.

 

Dyce managed to get back into the game and were soon rewarded by taking the lead again.  Bruce passed to Glenn and he went on a strong run before finding Bradley in space near the goals who finished with a left foot strike.  Bruce then extended the lead after a fantastic mazy run, beating almost every opponent in the process.  A chance to extend the lead further presented itself when one of the Cove defenders inadvertently handled the ball in the box, but Bradley fired the penalty wide.

 

Bradley’s luck was still out when first his shot from an acute angle hit the right post, and in the next attack his shot was deflected but Fraser was on hand to pick up the ball and fire in from a very tight angle.  Glenn was now driving the team forward and he created a couple of chances for Matty, before scoring the fifth himself after a strong run past three defenders.  There were shots just wide from Cameron and Bradley before Bruce crossed from the right to Fraser who’s right foot shot eluded the keeper to complete the scoring.

 

Full-time  6-1

 

 

The extremely difficult underfoot conditions meant that flowing football (and sliding tackles !!) were out of the question today.

 

 

Coach: Jake Petrie

 

Goals:

 

Bruce Anderson                        2

Fraser Wyness              2

Bradley Neish                1

Glenn Murison               1