Wednesday 2nd March 2022 Bridge of Don Seniors vs Cults Seniors Match Report

Report on Bridge of Don Academy Seniors v Cults Academy Seniors, President’s Trophy - Wednesday 2nd March 2022, by Walter Craig
Cults Frozen Out At Windy Bridge of Don.

Bridge of Don Academy Seniors

Archie Mackay, Jay Loureiro, Cole Goate, Dhani Walker, Jake Cocker, Dylan Boyce, Alfie Brock, Jay Galbraith, Dylan Shaw, Jamie Watson, Samuel Davidson, Lucas Taylor-Youngson, Ben Wright, Dylan Goate and Oliwer Jasnoch.

Cults Academy Seniors

Noah Blanksby, Callum Beedie, Thomas MacKenzie, Lewis Smith, Corin Smith, Ruaridh Allan, Aryia Abolfathi-Balaneji, Ade Obawole, Robert Douglas, Damon Collins and Euan White

Referee B. Eden

Bridge of Don Seniors entertained Cults in an eagerly awaited fixture in the President’s Trophy.

Cults had already tasted success at Lochside but the home team, having waited a long time to start their campaign, were hoping to be on top of their game from the outset.

Conditions were tricky as Cults kicked off with the wind and low temperature, but everyone was happy that the game was going ahead after early morning ice had blanketed the pitch.

Early exchanges suggested that with both schools trying to mount attacks as often as possible, an entertaining game was in prospect and so it proved.

Cults started well with Damon Collins and Ade Obawole prominent in midfield, but Dylan Shaw soon gave indication of the influence he was to have in the game. He moved down the right before sending a shot which flew narrowly wide.

It was Jamie Watson’s turn a minute later forcing Archie Mackay to tip his drive over the bar after he ran down the left.

Midway through the half, a clearance from the Cults defence fell to the feet of Dylan Shaw twenty yards out. He met the ball on the volley and his strong drive flew past Noah Blanksby before resting in the corner of the net.

Ten minutes from the interval the home team doubled their lead. A long pass from the back bounced through the Cults defence before reaching Shaw. The attacker hit it first time and once again the ball nestled in the corner of Blanksby’s net.

The visitors came close a minute later, when Ruraidh Allan rushed down the right, before squaring the ball inside. Ewen White met it and sent a curling shot inches over Mackay’s crossbar.

The same player came closer just on the half time whistle. He picked the ball up on the edge of the box, but the home keeper was equal to it bringing off a fine save to end what had been a keenly contested half.

Half Time: Bridge of Don Academy Seniors 2 - 0 Cults Academy Seniors

Bridge of Don were quickly out of the blocks at the beginning of the second period and thought they had notched a third four minutes in. Shaw made good progress on the right and his cross was turned towards goal. Blanksby did well to push the ball away from the goal but it was gathered and slotted home from six yards. Unfortunately for the homesters the referee had spotted an infringement and awarded Cults a free kick.

Three minutes later a fine cross from the right was met by Collins just outside the box but Mackay was out of his goal quickly to make a fine stop.

A home goal came along in eight minutes. More good work by the speedy Shaw ended with his attempt being blocked by a defender. Dylan Boyce collected the rebound on the turn and hit a low drive into the far corner of the net.

It was Collins v Mackay again soon after with the keeper being required to touch an in-swinging cross from the midfielder over the bar. Collins headed just wide from the corner.

It was nearly four in thirteen minutes when another Shaw cross from the right was smashed against his own post by a Cults defender.

Another chance for the home team saw Dylan Goate collect a pass from Shaw, take it round Blanksby, and then have to watch as it was cleared off the line.

Seventeen minutes remained when Bridge of Don scored again. Blanksby partially saved yet another attempt from Shaw only succeeding in pushing the ball to the feet of Jay Galbraith. The keeper was not able to get a strong enough hand to the shot and it agonisingly crossed the line.

On the balance of play, Cults were not four goals inferior to their hosts and they deservedly pulled one back with eight minutes left to play. A Collins cut back from close on the goal line found Aryia Abolfathi-Balaneji who calmly slotted the ball beyond the reach of Mackay.

The game ended with Bridge of Don nearly netting again. Shaw pick pocketed the away defence but his low try went narrowly wide of the post.

A good win for Bridge of Don in what turned out to be a fine match all round. Cults ran them close, but with no substitutes, the tiring conditions were always going to play a significant part.
Next up for Bridge of Don is a visit from Albyn next Wednesday while Cults are at home to Bucksburn at the weekend.

Final Score: Bridge of Don Academy Seniors 4 - 1 Cults Academy Seniors