St.Marnans 1 - Turriff Thistle 0
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After a six month break without any football Turriff Thistle kicked-off their 2020-2021 pre-season programme with the short trip to Foggie to take on their local rivals St Marnans at McRobert Park, Aberchirder with all the required Covid 19 matchday protocols in place.
Despite Thistle having the majority of pressure throughout the match they couldn’t turn this advantage into goals and a world class free kick from the Saints on the hour mark racked up the only goal of the match and gave the future bragging rights to the home team.
The first starting line-up of the season for Thistle’s new management team of Graham Buxton, Allan Shand and Kevin Duncan saw the re-signed Jordan Ogg return to the Jag’s goal, with previous keeper, Ryan Smith moving the other way back to the Saint’s line-up.
The back four consisted of Mike McCombie, Neil Chapman, new signing Kian Beaton and Daryn Bruce.
The midfield featured Regan Fowlie returning to the wide right after a full season out with a frustrating and persistent groin injury.
Mo Morrison lined up on the left with a centre pairing of Ryan Morrison and Dan Bruce while Jay Robertson led the line with Dylan Buxton lurking just behind him.
A full subs bench included Steven Wight, Lewis Hendry, Greg Miazek, Joe Bisset, Mitchell Allan, new signing Mitchell Reid and trialist Callum Fraser.
The Jags kicked off attacking down the slope with the sun behind them and immediately put pressure on the Saints defence.
In three minutes a cross from Buxton on the right found Mo Morrison at the back post and his volley crashed off a defender and behind.
From the resultant corner R Morrison saw two close range shots blocked by Smith in the Saints goal.
In six minutes Buxton ran onto a long ball forward from Robertson and managed to get the faintest of touches on the ball to poke it goal-wards but Smith tipped it past the post.
In 13 minutes a low driven cross from Fowlie on the right was just missed by Mo Morrison rushing in at the back post.
Morrison was back in action in 20 minutes when he saw his 20 yard free kick well held by Smith.
The first substitution for Thistle came in 28 minutes when Reid replaced Buxton who had felt a twinge in his groin.
Fowlie and Mo Morrison linked up again in 31 minutes when another driven cross was volleyed past the Saints post.
St Marnans created their first clear chance in 36 minutes and should have gone ahead when a free header from six yards was fired over the Jags bar.
Hendry came on for Dan Bruce before play resumed.
The Saints had a golden chance to take the lead when they broke through the Thistle defence right on half-time but Ogg was out swiftly to collect the ball and snuff out the danger.
Bisset and trialist Fraser came on for the second half in place of Daryn Bruce and Robertson with the Jags continuing their pressure.
In 54 minutes R Morrison shot narrowly past after Bisset had blocked a poor clearance then a minute later a Fowlie cross from the right was met at the near post by McCombie but his effort was blocked by Smith.
Wight then came on for Chapman.
Saints broke the deadlock in 58 minutes when an attacker was pulled down as he drove forward in the centre of the park 25 yards out and the resultant free kick absolutely flew over the defensive wall and into the top corner of the net with Ogg rooted to the spot.
Before the re-start Allan replaced Beaton then a short time later Miazek came on for Mo Morrison.
In 63 minutes a high ball into the Saints goalmouth saw Bisset win a challenge against Smith but his flick as the ball dropped to him was not strong enough and was cleared off the line.
The Saints were quick to hit back and a low shot from eight yards was well saved by Ogg’s feet.
Thistle pushed the Saints back deep into their own half but despite some clever approach play from Miazek and Fowlie down both wings could not find the target with McCombie, R Morrison, Bisset, Reid and Fraser all going close.
The Saints should have put the game to bed in 78 minutes when they broke through with only Ogg to beat but the final shot was pulled wide of the target from 8 yards.
With 10 minutes remaining Dan Bruce and Buxton returned to the match for Fowlie and Reid and both contributed to Thistle’s search for an equaliser.
In 82 minutes a corner from Bruce on the right found McCombie rushing into the Saints box but he blasted his shot wide then right on the final whistle Buxton fired in a shot from wide on the left that flew past the back post.
This was an excellent run-out for the Jags and gave a chance for the management team to have a look at the entire playing squad.
Thistle moved the ball about with confidence and created numerous scoring opportunities but only lacked a clinical finish in front of goal.
Turriff Thistle: Ogg, McCombie, Chapman (Wight 55), Beaton (Allan 58), Daryn Bruce (Fraser 45), Fowlie, Dan Bruce (Hendry 36), R Morrison, Mo Morrison (Miazek 62), Buxton (Reid 28), Robertson (Bisset 45).
Fixture news - Next on the programme for Turriff Thistle is a match against Whitehills Junior F.C. on Saturday, September 26 which will be a severe test for the amateur side.
Further matches have been arranged against Fyvie F.C. who have been accepted into the Aberdeenshire Amateur Football Association for the forthcoming season and Alford Amateurs.
Confirmation of dates and times will be announced when the required permissions have been granted.
