North Region Junior football: Sunnybank win on first home Premier League outing

It was another packed weekend of Junior action across the north-east.

By Reporter

August 14 2023, 6:00 am

Sunnybank manager Paul Leahy (centre) following last season's title win. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson.

Sunnybank made it two top-flight wins out of two as North Region Junior Premier League football returned to Heathryfold after more than a decade.

In a sizzling second half performance, they came from behind to hammer Maud 6-1 thanks to Adam Reid’s treble, a Ciaran Bloomer brace and Logan Tough’s goal.

Understandably, Bankies co-manager Paul Leahy was more than pleased with his team’s response to going one down, saying: “It was a very good second half, in particular the last half hour.

“Maud played well in the first half and they got their goal, which was poor from us defensively, and that gave us a bit of a wake up call, and once we got the equaliser, we kicked on and everything fell into place.

“We now go to Buchanhaven Hearts on Tuesday, and they’re very strong at home. We won by a single goal there last season and we were lucky to get all three points.

“Everyone is fit, apart from James Steel, who picked up a foot injury on Saturday and is unlikely to feature.”

McBookie.com Premier League champions Culter had Cammy Fraser (three), Ross Clark, Jordan Cromar and Liam Todd on the mark in the 6-2 Crombie Park win over Buchanhaven, who responded through Daniel Mair and Aaron Smith.

At Ian Mair Park, Dyce had Dan Agnew, Sam Garnham and Craig Mackie on the scoresheet as they ran out 3-1 winners against Rothie Rovers, for whom Murray Thompson responded, while a Scott Gray double and an Elliot Wills counter saw Ellon United pip East End by the odd goal in five.

Jason Davie (two) and Ryan Cormack scored as Newmachar United defeated Stoneywood Parkvale 3-2 at Charlie Gordon Park, and Stonehaven had Harry Ingram and Ronan Masson to thank as they accounted for Nairn St. Ninian at Glenury Park.

At Lochside Park, a Brunon Paszkiewicz double, a Callum Youngson penalty and a Paul Esslemont effort gave Hermes a 4-2 win over Colony Park, who had Tyler Mason on target.

And, at Aberdeen Sports Village, Bridge of Don Thistle proved too strong for Fraserburgh United, Cammy Bowden firing both in the 2-0 win.

Meanwhile, Lossiemouth United top the Championship after a 7-2 rout of Cruden Bay, with Callum Carr (two), Harvey Kane (two), James Johnston, Alex Matczak and Liam Petrie all finding the net.

Calum Nicol, Robbie Campbell and two from Fraser Reid gave Banks o’Dee JFC a 4-0 Spain Park victory against Islavale, and Ryan McBean and Kelvin Mackenzie were the Burghead Thistle goal heroes against Whitehills.

Deveronside won 3-1 at home to New Elgin thanks to strikes from Jody Munro (two) and Kieran Anderson, while Joseph Otto’s brace gave Banchory St. Ternan the points at Dufftown, who had Euan Simpson on the scoresheet.

Neil Moir (two) and Mattie Milne scored to give Forres Thistle victory at Hall Russell United and Longside were 4-2 winners at home to Glentanar.

There’s a full league programme on Tuesday tomorrow evening with champions Culter travelling to Colony Park while in Rothienorman it should be a cracking game when promoted Rothie Rovers welcome last season’s runners-up, Hermes.

At New Advocates Park, it’s East End against Stonehaven while Dyce are on the road at Faserburgh United, Maud entertain Newmachar United and Ellon United visit Stoneywood Parkvale.

In the Championship, Milton Park is the venue for Banchory St. Ternan versus Banks O’Dee JFC, Deveronside make the short trip to Whitehills, Forres Thistle welcome Dufftown, Longside are at Cruden Bay, League Cup quarter finalists Islavale and Burghead Thistle meet at Simpson Park, Glentanar are at home to Hall Russell United and Lossiemouth United are at New Elgin. All games kick off at 7 pm.

MCBOOKIE.COM PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS

Bridge of Don Thistle 2-0 Fraserburgh United

Culter 6-2 Buchanhaven Hearts

Dyce 3-1 Rothie Rovers

Ellon United 3-2 East End

Hermes 4-2 Colony Park

Newmachar United 3-2 Stoneywood Parkvale

Stonehaven 2-0 Nairn St. Ninian

Sunnybank 6-1 Maud

CHAMPIONSHIP

Banks o’ Dee JFC 4-0 Islavale

Burghead Thistle 2-0 Whitehills