LONGSIDE 4 – ELLON UNITED 4
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Ellon United`s League Cup match at Longside saw the sides share eight goals and ended all square with four goals each.
Three goals from United`s David Coutts was bettered by Longside`s Jim Bain who scored a final tally of five, unluckily for him his first effort on target was an unfortunate own goal.
Longside had to play almost ten minutes of the end with nine men after a couple of strange looking red cards but United were unable to take advantage as the home side still matched them with a battling finish.
United went ahead after only two minutes when Fraser Thomson`s wicked in swinging corner struck Jim Bain and landed in his own net.
Longside drew level from the penalty spot in the 25th minute with Jim Bain atoning for his mishap by drilling home from twelve yards.
Three minutes later the home side broke forward the former United striker again on hand to provide the finish. Longside keeper Ritchie made a fine save at full stretch to turn a well struck shot from Josh Duncan round his post.
Longside stretched their lead on the stroke of half time. They broke down their left and although they looked suspiciously offsides play was allowed to go on with Jim Bain steering the final cross in at Scott Baldwins left hand post for his third of the afternoon..
United made a change at half time with Scott Fraser coming on for Neil Law.
The visitors grabbed a goal back in the 52nd minute when David Coutts` low free kick eluded Ritchie at his left hand post.
The sides drew level in the 62nd minute from another penalty kick , this time David Coutts dispatching the ball home.
Longside were winning too much of the ball in the second period but it took yet another penalty to give Jim Bain the chance to score his final goal and put the home team back in front.
Scott Baldwin made a couple of fine stops to keep United in contention.
United made a second change with Andreas Misacas replacing Greig Johnston to give them an addition man up front and five minutes later the teams were again all square and, you guessed it, from the final penalty of the game.
Play was delayed while referee Guyan decided to show to his second red card of the match before David Coutts stepped up to do the needful for his own third goal.
United were unable to cash in on their spare men over the closing stages with the home side working so hard and even threatening to snatch a winner of their own.
United's next match sees them take on Junior newcomers Rothie Rovers at The Meadows next Saturday, kick off 1.30pm.
Rovers have made an impressive start to their League Cup campaign picking up full points from their opening two games and scoring eight goals in the process although have also leaked four.
It looks as if it will take a good performance from United if they come out on top.
