Report

It was a drizzly and cold evening in Kemnay for our final match of the season, which also brought the curtain down on 10 years of the Donside team of 97.
It was an important game for our hosts, as they looked to get the 3 points needed to keep their push for 2nd place on track.

We started the game really well, with Cailean on the right and Iain on the left seeing a lot of the ball and creating some good opportunities. Stuart was holding the ball up and linking play superbly and we were dominant in the opening quarter of an hour. Kemnay were looking dangerous on the break and Ross Fyfe had to look lively on several occasions to snuff out the opposition threat. Several corners came to nothing and a cross from Iain hit the crossbar as we looked to break the deadlock, then we came agonisingly close when another corner was cleared to the edge of the box where Calum took a touch then fired in a shot which smacked off the left-hand post, then the rebound was expertly saved by the Kemnay keeper. Shortly after Cailean jinked his way past 2 defenders into the box, but his shot was parried away for a corner by the Kemnay keeper. Cammy had to replace Calum who was complaining of sore ribs late on in the half, but despite our best efforts we were unable to find a goal and the half ended goal-less.

HALF TIME: Kemnay 0 - 0 Donside

We made 2 further changes at the break with Will & Josh replacing Ewan Stewart & Iain, with Cailean moving into a more central midfield role, which must have been a relief to the Kemnay left-back. We started brightly again, and another passing move saw the ball set up for Will to shoot from the edge of the box, but it was going to take something special to beat the Kemnay goalie tonight. The game was a more even contest now with both teams scrapping for everything in a congested midfield. We made our final 2 changes which saw Scott & Morgan take over from Ross Campbell & Dylan, and this coincided with Kemnays best spell of the match, with us having to defend a series of corners, which in fairness we did pretty well. With time running out, and both teams starting to look tired on the wet, heavy pitch, we finished strongly and won a free-kick out on the left touchline about 30 yards from goal, and we sent the big lads forward in an effort to snatch the win. Danny floated the ball into the penalty box and it was half-cleared to the edge of the area, but Euan had to dig the ball out from under his feet to get a shot away and it drifted into the welcoming gloves of the Kemnay goalie. It was beginning to look like both sides could have played till midnight without scoring so it was probably just as well when the referee blew the whistle for the end of the game.
The Donside team left the pitch to a huge and emotional round of applause, not only for their efforts in this game, but also for their hard work, skill and commitment to the team over 10 years.

FULL TIME: Kemnay 0 - 0 Donside

It would have been great to have finished off with a win, but I'll happily settle for a point and a good performance. The host of coaches and managers from other clubs who were present must have seen  a player or two who would enhance their squad, and Alan & I would like to wish the boys all the very best of luck with whichever path they choose to take from here on.

It has been an honour and a privilege to coach the team for the last 10 years and I've been fortunate to see the wee boys that I took charge of back in 2002 turn into a terrific group of young men.
We've had our ups and downs, but I think we can all agree that I was always right!  :)

Cheers, it's been a blast!

Graeme McDonald (former) coach of Donside 97.