Saturday 21st September 2024
Breedon Scottish Highland Football League
Formartine United 3 Huntly 1
Formartine United Scorers: Julian Wade (3), Callum Youngson (23), Tyler Mykyta (90+4)
Huntly Scorer: Owen Morris (90+2)
A bit of “Juju” genius from WADE set Formartine on their way to victory in a game that showcased Highland League football at it's very best and was played out with all the fervour of a cup tie. The flash of genius came in the the form of the opening goal in the third minute when the striker ran onto a through ball by Crawford and still fully 35 yards out from goal had the ball under control and dealt with the imminent threat to his progress from the approach of two defenders before they could get near enough to tackle by hammering it over the keeper to the back of the net for a finish that brought the crowd to their feet in rapturous applause.
This was clearly a candidate for goal of the season and set United on course for a deserved victory that extends their unbeaten run to 6 games in succession, That manner and quality of that goal did much to inspire United who established an early dominance in the game where they set a tempo that Huntly initially struggled to contain. Desspite the absence through injury and suspension of both centre halves (McLean and Adams)United played crisply moving the ball quickly through the phases to three predatory forwards in the shape of debutant Dangana [signed midweek from Elgin] Scott Adams and the estimable Wade. United looked hungrier for the ball and subjected the Strathbogie men to repeated waves of attack. Daganna looked fast and tricky on the ball and initially had one or two pops at goal from the inside left channel one of which went only narrowly wide of the right upright.
For the next fifteen to twenty minutes United were dominant and Huntly reduced to reacting to the demands Formartine made of of them without really imposing anything of their own in return. It was looking very much as if the next goal would come from the homeside. YOUNGSON, signed in the close season from Junior side Hermes is making an impressive transition to the Highland League and emerging as an increasingly crucial part of the North Lodge midfield . He now has the confidence to take the ball past opponents, covers an immense range of ground and works very hard and effectively on and off the ball. With a strong run down thhange of ends e right he managed to ride a couple of tackles on his way into the box before slppng the ball neatly past the left hand of keeper Roberson in the 22nd minute.
United continued to dominate possession until the interval although Huntly seemed to be getting a bit more of the ball as well as time on it. United remained the dominant factor and it looked like the change of ends at the interval to see them attacking the village end goal where they score more goals would work in their favour. Any advantage was temporary and a revitalised Huntly game increasingly back into the game as the second half ptogressed. United didn’t let up it: it was more a case of Huntly raising their game and it becoming more of an evenly balanced midfield battle. As time went on the visitors chasing the game committed more and more to attack. United defence held solid throughout but it was notable that Crawford and Smith[on for the injured [Thomas] were increasingly occupied by the defensive aspects of their roles. Huntly pressure continued and in one 3 minire period home keeper Macdobald pulled off three superb reaction saves from point blank shots from Warson [2] and Morris [1].
Huntly were pushing United hard for a goal but leaving gaps behind them in their commitment to attack and it was almost all over for them in the 77th when Youngson smacked one off the upright following a United surge down the right flank. It was stoppage time before Huntly got some reward for their efforts. There had been sustained periods of action in the United penalty area and frequently the 6 yard box but the home derence was particularly parsimonious and the visitors remained goaless until sub Owen MORRIS claimed their just desserts with a shot from about 12 yards range inside the right corner of the box.
This signalled another change of pace, Huntly rushed to up the pressure for another goal and a share of the points, United in general but MYkyta in particular were having none of it and sought to put the result beyond any doubt. United forced three corners on the right each made and taken by MYKYTA. The last he took short and immediately set off on a run along the goal line before csqueezing a tight angled drive past the keeper for 3-1.
Formartine United Team: Ewen Macdonald, Johnny Crawford, Luke Strachan, Lewis Wilson, Rhys Thomas [Stuart Smith 5 min], Marc Lawrence, Julian Wade, Graeme Rodger, Scott Adams [Aidan McCormick 84 min], Callum Youngson [Ross Clark 84 min], Michael Dangana [Tyler Mykyta 60 min]. Unused Subs: Stuart Anderson, Cameron Middleton.
Huntly FC Team: Robertson, Connelly, Still, Sewell, Robertson [B. Allen 70 min], Grant, Heston, Gauld [O. Morris 70 min], Watson, F. Allen [A. Morris 60 min] Wallace. Unused Subs: Clark, Halliday, Wills GK.