Albion BC Thistle 7 v K2001 3

This weeks Development League Football match was against Albion BC Thistle played at Harlaw playing fields in Aberdeen.

When the game kicked off it was slightly cold with a gentle mist hanging over Aberdeen but once the sun broke through it made for a beautiful Sunday morning ideal for a football match.

Albion are renowned for being a good footballing side and this newest batch of recruits did not disappoint with some excellent players on display.

The match was played in an excellent sporting manner and at one point when our striker Keiron went down injured after a perfectly timed tackle the Albion defender checked he was alright and apologised for hurting him - sportsmanship of the highest order - some professional footballers could take a leaf out of his book.

The game started very evenly with some high quality football from both teams and Kemnay were matching the skillful Albion players with some solid defending from Michael, Samuel and Zoe and when called into action Rhys was as dependable as ever with some excellent handling.

It was Albion who were going to score first with a break down the right and a cross into the middle which was well finished off by the Albion striker.

As in previous weeks this crop of Kemnay players never stop working hard and soon after we were to draw level after some fine play by Craig who set up Archie who smashed a shot past the helpless Albion goalkeeper.

The game continued to go from end to end with Scott, Archie and Keiron in midfield they were creating chances which through some good defending and goalkeeping from Albion kept us out.

Shortly before the end of the first 15 minutes Albion scored their second again after some fine football from the home side.

The first 15 minutes ended 2-1 to Albion

Kemnay came out stronger with a change in defence with Campbell replacing Michael and his no nonsense approach to defending was evident from the start when he smashed the ball out of play when the ball was going out anyway.

An excellent run down the left by Scott who squared it to Keiron who neatly shot past the Albion goalkeeper.

As in previous games the Kemnay defence were not hard enough in the tackle and gave the Albion players too much space to play football and several mistimed tackles meant that Albion were to take the lead once more when Kemnay were unable to clear their lines.

However as mentioned previously the Kemnay heads did not go down and after some fine football the ball broke to Scott at the edge of the box and his fierce shot beat the goalkeeper at the near post and he celebrated with a rather acrobatic celebration. Ouch.

The game continued to flow from end to end without either of the goalkeepers called into too much action.

Just before the end of the second 15 minutes the ball broke to Craig about 30 yards from goal and his first time effort came crashing back off the crossbar - he was extremely unlucky not to score.

The second 15 minutes finished 3-3.

The last 15 minutes is one the Kemnay players would rather forget with one own goal (I won't mention who scored it) and some sloppy defending meant that Albion scored a further 4 goals to leave the final score 7-3 to Albion.

There were some good performances from the Kemnay players but until they learn how to tackle properly they will continue to leak goals - something to work on at training.

However once again they tried until the end and for that we should all be extremely proud of them.