Formartine United triumphs in a thrilling shoot-out to advance in the Aberdeenshire Shield.
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In a gripping quarter-final match of the Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield, Formartine United emerged victorious against Inverurie Locos, securing their place in the semi-finals following a nail-biting penalty shoot-out. The match, held at North Lodge Park, ended in a 1-1 draw after regular time, leading to a tense shoot-out where Formartine triumphed 5-4.
The match showcased a fierce competition between the two sides, with Inverurie Locos dominating the first half.
They came close to scoring when Aidan Wilson unleashed a powerful shot from 25 yards, only to be thwarted by Formartine’s goalkeeper, Ewen Macdonald, who made a spectacular save diving to his left. After the break, Formartine turned the tide, breaking the deadlock shortly after the hour mark. Substitute Julian Wade, who had just entered the game, scored with a precise finish into the bottom left corner, giving Formartine a crucial lead.
However, Inverurie responded tenaciously, equalizing in the 74th minute through Callum Duncan, who capitalized on a flick-on from Ryan Park. The match’s intensity escalated as both teams sought a winner, but neither could find the back of the net, leading to the dramatic penalty shoot-out.
In the shoot-out, Formartine’s players displayed composure under pressure, with Graeme Rodger, Aaron Norris, Michael Dangana, Wade, and Aidan Combe all converting their penalties. Inverurie matched them initially, with Paul Coutts, Calum Dingwall, Mark Souter, and Cole Anderson scoring their attempts. However, the decisive moment came when Macdonald made a crucial save against Duncan’s fifth penalty, sealing Formartine’s victory.
Manager Stuart Anderson expressed his delight at the outcome, acknowledging the unpredictability of penalty shoot-outs. He praised Macdonald for his exceptional performance, highlighting his ability to make significant saves in critical moments. Anderson emphasized the team’s determination to compete for the Shield, aiming for their second title since their inaugural victory in January 2019.
Despite the defeat, Inverurie Locos manager Dean Donaldson remained optimistic about his team’s performance. He noted that while they had played well, they struggled to convert chances into goals. Donaldson acknowledged the disappointment of being eliminated from all cup competitions before Christmas, urging his players to focus on improving their finishing in future matches.
As the Aberdeenshire Shield progresses, Formartine United will now prepare to face either Hermes or Buckie Thistle in the semi-finals, while Inverurie will regroup and look to bounce back in their upcoming league fixtures.
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