Monday 6th May 2024 GPH Aberdeenshire & District League
Stonehaven U21’s 0 Formartine United U21’s 3
Scorers: Mackenzie Taylor (10), Branden Beaton (40), Brody Alberts (43)
Formartine United’s under 21 team secured the required victory at Stonehaven last night to be crowned Champions of the GPH Aberdeenshire & District League. Goals from Mackenzie Taylor, Branden Beaton and top scorer Brody Alberts secured a 3-0 win and top spot in the league by a point from Fraserburgh.
Formartine started the game on the front foot and took a deserved lead in the 10th minute with a move that started from a throw in their own half. The ball found its way to Mackenzie Taylor in midfield, after holding off a challenge from a defender the ball fell to Sam Thomson who played in Taylor on the edge of the box. The midfielder took a touch before clipping the ball past the Stonehaven keeper from six yards.
Formartine continued to push forward and create chances, limiting the home team to the occasional foray into Formartine territory without troubling Jake Ritchie in goal. Formartine did extend their lead in the 40th minute. Sam Thomson broke up a Stonehaven move forward, finding Aarron Buckle who’s pinpoint pass from central midfield found Arran Paterson wide left. The winger cut the ball inside to Branden Beaton on the edge of the box, who shrugged off s defender challenge before rifling a low drive past the keeper from 15 yards. Just before the break the three points and the title were secured with the decisive third goal. A long through ball from Sam Thomson saw the home keeper beat Brody Alberts to the ball on the edge of the box, while collecting the ball the keeper’s momentum carrying him over the 18 yard line with a free kick awarded for hand ball. The Stonehaven wall broke early allowing Arran Paterson to roll the ball to Brody Alberts who’s low drive found a path past the advancing defenders and into the corner of the net.
Despite creating several opportunities during the second half there was no further scoring and the Formartine squad, management and coaches celebrated their success with the GPH sponsored Aberdeenshire League trophy.
Formartine United Under 21 team. 1. Jake Ritchie, 2. Sam Thomson (15. Finlay Morris 80), 3. Josh Proctor, 4. Lucas Smith, 5. Grant Moroney ©, 6. Aaron Angus, 7. Mackenzie Taylor (14. Tome Nadji 80), 8. Aarron Buckie, 9. Brody Alberts, 10. Branden Beaton (12. Mitchel Watson 67), 11. Arran Paterson (16. Josh Davidson 80). Unused Subs: 17. Scott Spark, 21. Harry Bisset.