An Aberdeen amateur team has refused to be too downbeat despite losing 51-0 in the first round of the Scottish Amateur Cup.
St Machar Thistle had only eight players for their match against AC Mill Inn Academy and ended up on the wrong end of a very one-sided encounter in one of the few matches to beat the weather on Saturday.
It was the second Saturday in a row the sides had met with AC Mill Inn running out 19-0 winners in the league match between the teams a week before.
Cameron Ashwood, who is the St Machar Thistle’s manager and secretary, admitted it was a tough afternoon for his depleted side.
He said: “I think we broke the record for the highest scoreline in the competition by a good bit.
“We started with eight players but our captain was a makeshift goalkeeper and he was coming back from an ankle injury he suffered on matchday one.
“It was his first game back and he pulled up in the 50th minute so we just had to continue with seven.
“It felt as if they were scoring every 20 or 30 seconds.
“Straight from kick-off they had 10 players on the line getting ready to chase you down.
“There was no let-up.
“I saw a few posts saying that AC Mill Inn should also be embarrassed by that score and claiming they should have eased up with the scoring but I don’t think I agree.
“They were just doing their job and they were there to play football. If that was how they want to enjoy it then who are we to tell them not to?
“It was our second game in a row against them. The previous week was 10 v 11 and it finished 19-0 which is a bit better.”
New players offering to help
Aberdeen University student Ashwood, who has managed the club since August, is unable to play due to a heart condition but revealed he has already had potential new recruits offering to join the team following the eye-catching scoreline.
He said: “I have actually had a few messages from people who saw the score and have offered to come to training on Tuesday.
“We don’t have time to be upset about the result.
“I am grafting away and determined to make this work.
“I love it to bits. The results do get to you as I’m now coach of the team that has suffered the highest defeat in Scottish football.
“I am only 20. I used to play amateur football but sadly I have a heart condition – the same thing that (former Bolton Wanderers midfielder) Fabrice Muamba has.
“I have had to stop playing and turn to coaching.
“It is a great group and I owe so much to them.”
Commitment can’t be faulted
A social media post on the St Machar Thistle Facebook page said AC Mill Inn “blew us away with a first class attacking performance” and wished their opponents the very best for their season and in the next round of the cup.
It added: “We keep moving on with our heads held high.”
Ashwood, who is originally from Glasgow, is studying psychology at Aberdeen University and hopes his degree can be beneficial as he looks to turn things around for the Saints.
He added: “I took a sports performance module this term to get a bit more out of the team.
“We have lost every game so far this season. We have played seven league games and we have a goal difference of minus 80.
“It has been tough but the boys are turning up knowing it is going to be a challenge.
“I told the players on Saturday morning that we only had eight players and said I understood if any of them wanted to drop out but they all turned up raring to go.
“The commitment can’t be faulted – they are unreal.
“We actually have about 30 players registered but I think a few have seen the results and decided it is not for them.
“We are trying to get people who are up for the challenge.”
Anyone interested in playing for St Machar Thistle can contact Cameron Ashwood on 07305 205201.
