5th February 2022 St Machar S1 vs Bucksburn S1 Match Report

Report on St Machar Academy First Year v Bucksburn Academy First Year, CNR International League - Saturday 5th February 2022

McMurray’s Second Half Double Keeps Bucksburn On Top.

St Machar Academy First Year

Isaac Volpi, Kenzie Innes, Archie Morris, Tyler Gordon, Mark Donaldson, Max Wetherly, Jamie Walosek, Nathan McIntyre, Cohen Leiper, Tyler Dixon and Lucas Bergeron. Subs: Kuba Kin, Saugat Bhandari, Lee Cruickshank, Max McKenzie and Wicktor Mischuda.

Bucksburn Academy First Year

Sebastian Castilo, Jack Fordyce, Logan Taylor, Tyler Cosgrove, Noah Sahar, Miller Giles, Samuel Akindileni, Dahen Vixamar, Ethan Bain, Ethan Reid and Ashley Munjoma. Subs: Milan George, Alex McMurray and Fraser Bruce

Referee A. Cunningham

The first match report from Aberdeen Secondary Schools Football Association in almost two years involves table topping Bucksburn’s visit to St Machar in the First Year age group league. In spite of the low overnight temperatures, which were still present at kick off, a close encounter was anticipated.

St Machar set the game in motion, but it was the visitors who had the better of the early play forcing a number of corners which did not threaten Isaac Volpi’s goal. The home team came closest to scoring in the opening quarter when a run down the left saw a parting shot finish narrowly beyond the far post

It was Bucksburn who took the lead in the eighteenth minute when Samuel Akindileni found himself with time and space near the edge of the box. He drove a low shot beyond Volpi’s left hand and into the net.

St Machar were not going to lie down after the goal and a long through ball towards Jamie Walasek saw Sebastian Castillo run from his goal to kick clear. It rebounded off the home player and was on its way to goal when a defender rushed back to kick it away.

St Machar’s breakaways were looking like they might produce a goal and almost did when a right wing corner bounced about in front of the visitors’ keeper and it took some time before the ball made its way upfield

The half time whistle went soon after and saw Bucksburn worthy of the lead but St Machar by no means out of things.

Half Time: St Machar Academy First Year 0 - 1 Bucksburn Academy First Year

Bucksburn began the second period in determined fashion looking to extend their advantage. They almost did so in five minutes when a strong Akindileni run on the right saw his inviting cross just fail to meet a Bucksburn foot.

It was then the turn of Jack Fordyce to run at the home defence but he was stopped by a fine tackle by Archie Morris. When the ball came forward Cohen Leiper was through on goal once more, but the Bucksburn keeper was quickly out to block his try and the St Machar player put the rebound narrowly past the far post.

This gave the home team confidence and they restored parity in ten minutes. The wind caught a free kick thirty yards out on the left and although Castillo did well to parry the ball, he could only push it into the path of waiting Lucas Bergeron. The striker was left with the easy task of sending the ball into the empty net from a couple of yards.

Bucksburn were back in front some five minutes later with a bizarre counter. Ethan Bain made progress down the left and sent over a tempting cross which found Alex McMurray in good position on the edge of the six yard box, He met it well enough but his attempt flew narrowly wide. His luck turned seconds later when confusion among the St Machar defenders from the goal kick saw the ball hit him and rebound into the unguarded goal.

The same player netted again minutes later. His strong run down the left gained a corner which bobbled in the box. The first attempt was blocked before the ball eventually fell for McMurray to bundle home from close range.

Eight minutes from time Akindileni collected the ball in midfield but sent his drive narrowly wide. There was more confusion in the home ranks with the goal kick and when it came to Bain he moved in on goal. His shot was well parried but unfortunately for St Machar it found its way to Milan George who forced the ball into the unguarded net.

This was hard on St Machar, and they were unlucky not to make the score more realistic when the speedy Leiper broke free on the right once again. His well placed attempt struck the junction of Castillo’s post and crossbar and rebounded to safety.

That was the last action of the contest and Bucksburn left the field deserving victors. St Machar fought bravely and made certain that their opponent knew they had been in a game. Well played both teams.

Final Score: St Machar Academy First Year 1 - 4 Bucksburn Academy First Year