Aberdeen 0 - 2 Banks o' Dee

A goal in either half from Lachie Macleod and Chris Antoniazzi saw Banks O’Dee clinch their second Aberdeenshire Shield success as they deservedly beat a young Dons side.

Having seen off Fraserburgh, Turriff United and Buckie Thistle en route to the final, Aberdeen had to see off the challenge of Highland League leaders Banks O’Dee if they were to have their name engraved on the Shield for the very first time.

The Spain Park club, Shield winners in 2020-21, took care of junior side Hermes as well as fellow Highland League teams Formartine United and Huntly to win their way through to the showpiece clash.
Aberdeen fielded a mix of Under 18 players augmented by several who are out on loan, the starting eleven showing just the one change from the semi final as Brendan Hamilton replaced Ellis Clark.

The Dons were on the front foot from the off, the persistence of Alfie Bavidge winning a first minute corner which flashed just wide off a defender’s head.

Tom Ritchie’s long clearance in the fourth minute saw Bavidge race clear of the Dee defence, but he was denied by the post after firing in as fierce angled fifteen yard effort.

The Highland League side took the lead on ten minutes, a fine ball from full back Davidson falling perfectly for Lachie Macleod who took a good touch before shooting past Ritchie.

On 18 minutes a wicked free kick from Alfie Stewart was deflected inches wide by Dee defender Kelly as the Dons pushed for an equaliser.

The game was being played at a frantic pace with both sides keen to attack at every opportunity.
Another Davidson/Lachie Macleod combination almost paid dividends for Banks O’Dee in the 29th minute, the striker’s header from the full back’s driven cross just over the top.

Darryn Kelly was the first player into the ref’s book after blocking Aaron Reid as the striker tried to get on to a Stewart pass, Dylan Lobban inches wide from the resulting thirty yard free kick.

A lightning fast break from Adam Emslie just before the break saw him get on the end of a fine Stewart pass before shooting narrowly over. Right on the half time whistle, Finlay Murray was denied by the bar as he fired in a powerful left foot drive after Lobban’s corner from the left.

A fairly even first half, Bavidge and Murray hitting the woodwork for Aberdeen, but Lachie Macleod’s clinical finish the difference at the interval.

Half time – Aberdeen XI 0 Banks O’Dee 1

Aberdeen were first to threaten in the second period, Reid skewing a shot wide following good work from Findlay Marshall, then Hoban did well to dive and clutch Bavidge’s cross from the left. Dee were forced to make a change in the 51st minute, Jevan Anderson limping off to be replaced by Luke Emmett.

Alert goal keeping from Hoban denied Bavidge as the Dons continued to press before Murray’s last ditch challenge denied Hamish Macleod at the other end.

A brilliant Ritchie save denied Golding before Winton fell foul of the ref and picked up a yellow. Stewart tried to curl one into the bottom corner after being picked out by Brendan Hamilton, the shot drifting just wide. Goal-scorer Macleod was withdrawn on 67 minutes as Wood came on.

As the game moved towards its conclusion Liam Harvey came on for Aaron Reid, the Dons desperately needing some inspiration to get back to parity.

But the inspired play came from Dayshonne Golding down the left for Banks O’Dee and he did well to fashion a cross into the box which was met by ex Don Chris Antoniazzi who rattled the ball in from twelve yards to make it 2-0. A sweet moment for Canto.

Hard though they tried to break down the Spain Park side’s defence, it was all to no avail as the Highland League outfit triumphed after a fiercely competitive game.