Ellon United suffer heavy defeat in season opener
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Ellon United's Superleague season kicked-off with a new format starting with league matches rather than the traditional qualifying sections of the League Cup.
With only four players still available from last year's curtailed season it was therefore a much changed and competitively untried United squad who travelled to Culter for their opening league fixture without the normal bedding in period provided in previous seasons.
They were shown the harshest of welcomes to the Superleague by a very strong and experienced Crombie Park outfit who were completely dominant on the day.
A sustained opening spell saw Culter move into a three goal lead in the opening 20 minutes from which United were unable to recover, the very hot conditions sapping their energy levels compared to a home side boosted by their fine start.
Another goal burst at the start of the second half set the home side well on their way to their most emphatic 11-0 victory.
Despite the scoreline United's worst moment came on the stroke of half-time with an injury to Grant Anderson who had to be stretchered off during the interval.
The injury proved more serious than initially hoped with the central defender suffering a double leg fracture.
United are indebted to their first aider Bev Sim and to the Culter members for the manner in which they handled the situation.
Ellon United: C. Gibson, J. Burnett, P. McLachlan, G. Anderson ( L. Simpson ), N. Irvine, S. Alexander, R. Shand ( O. Harper ), A. Misacas ( J. Morrice ), D. Ibazebo, C. Tremaine, M. Cormack, J. Macleod, S. Paterson.
Culter: Tait, Milne, McGregor, Petrie, Russell, Dunbar, Mathers, Stewart, Smart, Ross, Cromar, Cheyne, McTavish, Carroll, Johnson, Youngson.
United were able to show glimpses of their undoubted potential despite their ordeal and the players must now take on board the experience and look to move on.
After their home match against Colony Park on Tuesday, United travel to Dyce next Saturday followed by a trip to meet Deveronside on Tuesday, July 27.
