Kemnay FC Juve v Dyce BC

For the last Development League fixture of the 2009/2010 season Kemnay welcomed Dyce Boys Club to Bogbeth Park on a fine if chilly morning.

The home team preparations had been hampered somewhat. Reuben was off dashing around Dunecht, Matthew Robertson made a playing return after several weeks away due to a nasty bout of glandular fever and Cameron called off on the morning of the game due to a nasty cough. Reece was hastily drafted in to augment the squad. And so it was a re-shuffled Kemnay that squared up to Dyce.

Almost immediately the home team nicked possession from Dyce who had kicked off and fashioned the first half chance within a minute. A shot wide failed to test the visiting keeper however. Indeed the first 5-10 minutes were relatively even, with Kemnay giving as good as they were getting. Gradually though Dyce began to find their feet and soon their passing and movement started to cause Kemnay problems. They were happy to retain possession and their willingness to go back when they had to and to switch play from left to right had the home team chasing the game at times. Eventually this paid dividends and after sustaining some pressure the visitors scored a quick-fire four goals to finish the opening 20 well in charge.

Kemnay's cause wasn't helped with the loss of Mason with a leg injury. Reece was drafted in to play an unfamiliar right back role for him, one that he did really well in.

The second period followed a relatively similar pattern - Kemnay matching up to Dyce initially and working hard for each other to create chances before gradually succumbing to Dyce's superior possession before conceding more goals despite the best efforts of the home defence of Reece, Lewis and Archie. The only disappointment would be that, as good as Dyce were, a number of their goals came as a direct result of Kemnay losing cheap possession and picking out an opponent instead of a teammate.

The third period saw Dyce continue in control and they added to their tally of goals. The home team by this time had seen the heads go down and were not getting nearly as close to their opposite numbers as they were earlier. Nevertheless Kemnay got the goal that their endeavours merited, Sebastian capitalising on a mistake buy the Dyce goalkeeper to slot home from close range.

There was still time in the third period for Archie to show his skills with some smart saves to keep the score down. One point-blank save where he pushed the ball over the bar from a bullet header was exceptional.

And so we finished the season with a defeat. That said there's no disgrace in losing to a powerful and skilful Dyce team. While it's natural to be disappointed after a heavy defeat the coaching team and players should be inspired to put in the work and effort in an attempt to emulate the visitors and to improve for the next season.

Player of the Match - In a game that we were second best for long spells, this week the award goes to Liam Morrison

The lesson for today and indeed for the season is that if the boys are up for the game and all pulling together then we're a match for anyone - games against Culter, Colony Park and Cove BC for example proved this with some excellent performances. However if the heads go down (and they do from time to time) then we're not as competitive.

With the season now over, it's time to reflect. You'll all have your highlights. Mine include a wonderful game against Culter Boys, our only clean sheet of the season against Cove BC, a great home win against Colony Park Barca, after being on the wrong end of a defeat against our local rivals earlier in the season, a great defensive performance against Paul Lawrie Foundation, a brilliant comeback from 4-1 down to win 5-4 against Newtonhill, a narrow but battling defeat against Albion BC and good wins against Westdyke, Banchory and Stonehaven.

There's no doubt that the boys have continued to develop this year as young players, and this is shown in their improving teamwork. There's no doubt either that this collection of young players from Kemnay, Alehousewells and Kintore schools have put school allegiances to one side to gel really well as a team.

It has been a pleasure, and indeed a lot of fun for the coaches to work with the team and to see the boys competing against some very good opposition, so on behalf of the coaches, a huge thank you for all the boys efforts this season. Also a huge thank you to all of you who brave the elements every Sunday to support the boys. They appreciate the support, and so do we.

On to the tournaments now, and some fun to finish the season. All the best,

Steve and Spike