Alford Academy

The Senior boys football team travelled to Banff Academy for an Aberdeenshire Cup quarter-final tie on Thursday afternoon and prevailed after another tense match that went to penalties.  Banff took an early lead after a long through ball was latched onto by their pacy forward, who slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Alford started to get the ball down and play some good football with Adam and Jack causing problems for the Banff defence on either wing.  The equaliser came courtesy of Adam’s excellent corner, met with a strong header from Innes, which the Banff keeper parried, and Harrison was quickest to react as he scooped the ball into the net.

Both teams created a couple more chances in the first half in an entertaining game, but it remained 1-1 at the break.

Alford started the second half slowly and lost a bit of momentum but managed to assert themselves more as the half went on and the game opened up.  Banff re-took the lead on the hour mark just as Alford were looking the stronger team.  A few injuries resulted in a change of shape for Alford which seemed to help as the boys pushed for an equaliser.

The back three of Liam, Angus and Blair were composed on the ball and building attacks from the backline, finding Ben and Adam on the wings as Alford pinned Banff into their defensive third.  With just 5 minutes left Adam swung in another dangerous corner and once again Innes met it with his head as he glanced the ball into the bottom corner to send the Alford bench wild!

Alford almost snatched victory in the final seconds of the match but Innes’ shots were blocked twice in quick succession by the Banff defenders in the six-yard box.

For the second fixture in a row, the game went to penalties.  Both times Alford came from behind to give themselves a chance of victory.

Banff missed their first spot-kick and Grant saved brilliantly down to his left for the third Banff penalty which meant that Alford needed to convert four penalties for the win.  Harrison, Jack, Adam and Innes all converted their penalties with aplomb to send Alford into the semi-finals.

Another great team performance, with all 14 boys involved playing really well and showing great commitment and determination to seal their place in the last 4.  It was a very competitive match and we wish Banff all the best for the rest of their season.

The Under 15 Boys football team had 2 away cup fixtures on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.  The first fixture was in the Scottish Shield away to Lossiemouth and Alford ran out 5-2 winners to take them into round 2 of the national cup.  Alford started the game brightly and were playing some good football, but it took until the 20^th minute for the breakthrough.  Thom finished off an excellent team move with a left foot finish after the keeper had blocked the first shot.  It was not long until Alford doubled the lead with a terrific strike from Ethan at the edge of the box on the right-hand side assisted by a defence splitting pass by Mungo.  Alford made it three just before half-time with Aiden scrambling the ball home after the Lossie defence failed to clear the initial corner.

The second half was barely underway when half-time sub Joseph scored an absolute screamer from 25 yards into the top corner with pretty much his first touch of the game! Lossie got a goal back shortly after and were pushing hard to get back into the game until Mungo settled it around the 70-minute mark with another top drawer finish from 25 yards beyond the Lossie keeper to cap off a fine individual performance at the heart of Alford’s midfield.  Lossie scored their second goal of the game with a few minutes left.  A great team performance from all 16 boys involved and a well-deserved victory.

Thursday’s fixture was a little closer to home against Banchory in the Aberdeenshire Cup and went to penalties, with the home side coming out on top.  Alford took an early lead through Ethan’s top corner front post finish from a well-weighted through ball.  Alford were playing into the wind during the first half and struggled to get the ball down and play.  Ewan made a number of great saves before Banchory finally managed to score past him after a scramble in the box.  Banchory went ahead a few minutes later after another scramble and a scooped shot beyond Ewan.

Alford started the second half strongly with the wind behind them and Ethan scored another great goal from the edge of the box, rifling his shot into the top corner after an excellent through ball from Mungo.  Ethan was at the heart of the action 5 minutes later when his run down the right-hand side split the Banchory defence and Ethan fired in a ball to Findlay at the edge of the box whose first time shot flew into the far corner of the net.  Banchory equalised a few minutes later with the match going from end to end and big spaces appearing in the middle of the park.  Alford made it 4-3 from Findlay’s corner as Samuel found himself in space to head home at the front post.  Unfortunately, Alford could not hold onto the lead for long as Banchory broke through the defence to score and take the game to penalties.  Banchory won 4-3 on penalties and we wish them all the best for the next round.  It was a hard-fought game and both sides played some excellent football at times.

The boys put in a tremendous amount of effort playing 2 games within 24 hours and their determination, drive and teamwork was clear for all to see.  I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them and they should feel very proud of these 2 performances.  We go into the league campaign and Scottish Shield second round in fine fettle.  Well done boys!

The U14 boys team played their first home match of the season against Turriff on Wednesday afternoon.  The team had been narrowly beaten up in Turriff back in November so were keen to make amends for that loss.

Alford started the game perfectly, scoring after just 90 seconds.  Darroch picked up the ball at the edge of the Turriff box and arrowed a shot across goal that nestled into the top corner.  However, Turriff got a goal back just a minute later and got a quick second to lead the match 2-1 after just 5 minutes.

Alford played their way back into the game, creating numerous chances but it took until around the 20th minute to get the equaliser.  Darroch picked up his second of the game, with a fantastic free-kick from the right-hand side of the box, into the top corner.  Thom, Samuel and Findlay had been working hard up top and putting a lot of pressure on the Turriff backline.  Finn, Joseph and Mungo were picking up loose balls in midfield and driving the team forward at every opportunity.  Thom & Samuel both created a number of chances for themselves and were duly rewarded with a goal each before half-time.  Half time: Alford 4 – 2 Turriff

The message at half-time was simple: keep up the hard work, get the next goal and enjoy the second half.  Findlay duly delivered with a swerving shot past the Turriff ‘keeper to make it 5-2.  Aidan made it 6-2 just a few minutes later after a driving run down the right wing, he cut inside and blasted it high into the Turriff net.  The Alford onslaught continued with Joseph scoring a peach of a lob from 25 yards.  

Turriff had a couple of attacks in between, with a goalbound shot flashed across but Ewan made a great save to push it out to safety.  The Alford defence of Gregor M, Gregor C, Logan and Harris grew in confidence as the match went on and were calm and composed on the ball, especially in the second half.

Darroch completed his hat-trick with 15 minutes to play with a close-range finish after some excellent work from Aidan down the left-wing.  Ryder got himself on the scoresheet next, with a composed finish from 6 yards into the bottom corner after a nice turn.  James, Finn and Mungo were controlling the midfield and setting up attack after attack in the second half.

After some lovely footwork in the box, Mungo scored Alford’s 10th goal of the game with a composed right-foot finish from 12 yards out.  Aidan got a well deserved second and Alford’s final goal of the game with 2 minutes remaining after some fine work from Findlay down the right-hand side.

Full time: Alford 11 – 2 Turriff

It was very impressive to see the boys displaying such great teamwork throughout the match.  They supported and worked hard for each other and got the performance and result that they deserved.  We have a big league and cup double header next week at home to Inverurie and the boys will be full of confidence ahead of that match.  Well done boys!