Friday 21st April 2023 Ellon Seniors vs Banff Seniors J.M Low Trophy Final Match Report

Final, Friday 21st April 2023, by Walter Craig

Ellon’s Head Boys Secure the JM Low Trophy

Ellon Academy Seniors
Jack Robertson, Johnny Adam, Kyle McAinsh, Lewis Strachan, Grant Moroney, Finlay Morris, Harry Copeman, Aaron Buckle, Aeden Gray, Aidan Brookes, Aidan McCormick, Oliver Stewart, Liam Gordon, Ryan Slessor, Logan Marshall, Jake McTavish, Kade Mahoney and Callum Kelly.

Banff Academy Seniors
Richie Acton Ireland, Keiran Anderson, Taylor Barron, Bruce Beaton, Brandon Costa Silva, Ashton Gray, Vinnie Ingleby, Lucas Mair, Jack Mitchell, Tyrone Reid, Scott Riddoch (G/K), Nathan Shepherd, Brodi Smith, Jakub Struzik, Grant Taylor, Jake Watt, Nathan Watt and Alfie Wood.

Referee Bob Eden

The Final of the Regional J M Low Senior Trophy took place at Fyvie FC’s idyllic Fyvie Park ground on a beautiful sunny Friday evening in front of an attendance in excess of one hundred and fifty. Both Ellon and Banff were expectant of success as each had some very talented players in their ranks.

The match began with the teams, unsurprisingly, showing caution and respect to their opponent and neither keeper was seriously troubled in the opening quarter of an hour, despite Ellon winning the game’s first corner in the opening minute and Banff sending in a dangerous free kick some nine minutes later which also resulted in a flag kick.

Aidan McCormick was causing the Banff defence problems on the Ellon left and it was no surprise when he set up the opening goal in sixteen minutes. He made progress down the flank before taking the ball along the goal line and cutting it back to Aaron Buckle ten yards out. He took a touch and sent a low drive smartly past Scott Riddoch and into the net.

The conditions were such, that a drinks break was required and it was noted that Banff were beginning to find their feet in the game at this point, making it difficult to see who were going to score the next goal.

Banff had a number of chances with balls being played into the box by Grant Taylor on the right wing but the Ellon defence was coping well.

Indeed, Ellon were beginning to create chances of their own with both Harry Copeman and Buckle coming close as half time approached.

Five minutes from the break, Aeden Gray doubled Ellon’s advantage heading home from eight yards after a corner taken on the right by Aiden Brookes.

It had been a keenly contested half with Ellon certainly worth their interval advantage but Banff will feel that a goal would see them deservedly back into things.

Half Time: Ellon Academy Seniors 2 - 0 Banff Academy Seniors

Banff approached the second period determined to attack, but they continued to find it hard to penetrate the well organised Ellon defence.

A free kick on the left saw the Ellon defender first to the ball when the cross came in and the chance was gone.

Ellon had an opportunity when Copeman made a telling interception in midfield before feeding Brookes whose shot took a deflection before going wide of the goal.

In the tenth minute, a good run down the left by Vinnie Ingleby saw his parting drive flash narrowly over the bar.

Jack Mitchell then took a free kick in a dangerous position on the left but again Banff could not take advantage.

They were made to pay when Ellon notched a third in twenty minutes. McCormick took another corner from the left and Lewis Strachan rose highest to bullet home a header at the back post giving Riddoch no chance of stopping it.

Banff now had to score and a through ball caught the Ellon defence off guard, but it was poked just wide of Jack Robertson’s post by Taylor Barron.

The ball was not running for Banff who were somewhat unlucky not to have reduced the leeway.

Ten minutes from the end they did manage to get on the scoresheet in somewhat bizarre circumstances. Awarded a free kick twenty yards from goal, the shot took a number of deflections sending Robertson going in one direction then the other before finally finding the net off the leg of an Ellon defender.

Banff then threw everything at Ellon but were fortunate not to concede again as a breakaway saw Ryan Slessor clean through on goal, but his left foot attempt spun narrowly wide of the post.

The last chance fell to Banff with three minutes left to play when a fine corner on the right was headed narrowly over by Keiran Anderson.

Ellon ran out worthy winners of a close game and were delighted to be duly presented with the Trophy which meant they had won the treble.

Banff, for their part, could justifiably feel the score was a trifle harsh on them but they really needed an early in the second half goal. It had been a terrific occasion, however, and a great advert for a schools Senior Cup Final.

Final Score: Ellon Academy Seniors 3 - 1 Banff Academy Seniors