It was an interesting matchup in the ADJFA U19s League A as ALC Athletic took on Banks O’Dee at Kaimhill. ALC were looking to get off to a strong start as this was their first league game of the season  whilst Banks O’Dee were hoping to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Inverurie Locos last time out.

 

Banks O’Dee prevailed in the end thanks to a strong first half performance despite the threat of an ALC comeback late on.

 

Straight from kick off Banks O’Dee set a high tempo as they put pressure upon the ALC defence and this paid off as they scored an early goal. A corner from Greg Pirie was whipped in to the back stick where it met the head of Jason Ritchie whose header back across goal was too powerful for ALC keeper Keith Robertshaw to save.

 

Trying not to be disheartened by the early goal, ALC came at Banks O’Dee. A dangerous tackle on Sean McHardy near the edge of the box gave them a perfect opportunity to find an equaliser but the resulting free kick was put high and wide of the goal.

 

Continuing to play with great intensity, it was not long before Banks O’Dee doubled their lead. Another corner from Pirie was put into the box, this time sneaking low past the front post to Ronan Masson who tapped it home to put his side further ahead.

 

ALC refused to go down without a fight however. A free kick in a wide position was played into the box by Matthew Clark. Rising high above his marker, Lewis Ifi made strong contact with his header but it was placed too close to the hands of Finlay Johnston who comfortably clutched the ball.

 

Refusing to be too complacent, Banks O’Dee continued to put immense pressure on the ALC back line. A shot from Mitchell McPherson was saved by Robertshaw low to the left hand corner before being tidied up by Ifi.

 

Finding themselves with a well-positioned free kick on the edge of the box, Banks O’Dee stretched their lead to three. A low free kick from McPherson was parried by Robertshaw but Lewis Paton was the first to get to the rebound. A close range header above the stranded keeper confirmed Banks O’Dee’s dominant first half performance.

 

As the first half was coming to a close Banks O’Dee continued to pile on the pressure. A teasing cross from Pirie on the left wing ended up at the feet of ALC defender Ross Milne who was unfortunate to see his clearance intercepted by Connor Wood. A great piece of quick reaction goalkeeping from Robertshaw stopped his team from falling any further behind before half time.

 

At half time Banks O’Dee had a deserved lead over an ALC side who had been unable to play their best football due to the high intensity of their opposition.

The early portions of the second half looked as though they may go the same as the first when Banks O’Dee added another goal. ALC defender Matthew Clark was unlucky as he missed the ball due to a bobble. This left McPherson in plenty of space to run in on goal and coolly finish the chance high to the keeper’s right.

 

Although ALC seemed down, they were most certainly not out as two goals in quick succession brought them right back into the game. The first goal came about from an excellent free kick from Connor Towler who picked out Liam Duncan from his own half. Duncan matched the pass with an equally spectacular volley which breathed life into the game as it flew passed the keeper.

 

The second came only minutes later when ALC were awarded a penalty. Duncan was pulled to the ground by Banks O’Dee defender Masson near to the by-line. Ifi stepped up to take the penalty and calmly slotted it into the bottom left hand corner where Johnston had no chance of saving it.

 

The quick fire goals lit a spark under ALC who began to show what they could do by reversing the pressure onto the Banks O’Dee defence. Another free kick from Towler was swung into the box, finding Greg Rennnie whose strike went narrowly wide of the back post.

 

Despite the beginnings of a second half comeback for ALC, Banks O’Dee managed to see out the win by staying composed in defence. The sheer intensity of the play from Banks O’Dee in the first half allowed them to gain a sizeable lead that they could then see out – leaving ALC disappointed that they could not have begun to turn things round sooner.

 

The win for Banks O’Dee sees them jump up into second place behind leaders Inverurie Locos whilst ALC remain in seventh and looking for their first points this season.  Congratulations to winners Banks O’Dee and well done to both teams for putting on an entertaining spectacle.