Table of Contents:

1. Westdyke’s progress with Ian Mackenzie
2. Match Report: Westdyke Vs Banchory St. Ternan
3. Post-match reaction with Daniel McKendrick

Westdyke’s progress with Ian MacKenzie

I last visited Westdyke CC Juniors as they geared up for the debut season in the North Region Junior Championship, having been an established amateur club for the past 20 years. At the halfway point of the season, I return to Westhill to find out how they’ve fared with the step to pyramid football. The previous article is linked below:

Ian MacKenzie, Junior Club President at Westdyke, was on hand to update me on how the Lawsondale based club have progressed in the last 6-months. Westdyke find themselves in 10th place after 17 of the 28 games played, and look set to consolidate a mid-table finish at the end of the season. Ian was pleased with how well they’ve competed in the league, with a new squad of mainly amateur players.

He said: ‘We’re in a good position in the table, above more established teams and still capable of a top half finish. Our squad is formed from players from the amateur team, U18 side and other teams around the area, but we are mainly made up of players from Westhill. Beyond results, all I ask from the boys is their commitment and hard work each week, and they have consistently given me that.’

Ian commended the players who not only made the step up in terms of quality, but also the geographically larger league.

He said: ‘The boys that did step up from the amateurs were very keen to do it, and we asked for that commitment. All the former amateur players have continued to deliver for the Junior side, with the exception of one player that returned to gain some fitness. Overall, they’ve done really well.’

Unfortunately the mass migration of players to the Junior side has severely damaged the amateurs, who are set for relegation from the AAFA Premier League.

Ian said: ‘Eight strong players leaving a mid-table amateur side, with a couple leaving for ventures elsewhere, it was really damaging for the team to have to replace almost half the squad. Philip [Leat] has had an immense challenge set upon him to steady the ship and half way through the season they are starting to improve again. It probably too late however, they will likely be relegated. Next year will be the chance to build up a strong amateur side aided by the appeal of progressing to Junior football if the individual players perform well enough.

The last time I visited Lawsondale, the pavilion was mainly used for storage. Now, there is a small coffee bar with hot food available, a pool table and the possibility of hosting hospitality and sponsorship days.

Ian said: ‘The support from the Lawsondale Trust and the Community Club to further this project has been extremely beneficial. There is a real purpose for the pavilion now, we can host people and provide refreshments for spectators. Its also a start of our ambition to revitalise the entire Lawsondale facility, we have been discussing our ambition to implement considerable upgrades to the venue. It will take time, planning, people, and money, but were are impatient and keen to see the club progress at any possibility. Hopefully the senior and development squads can drive investment into the facilities, for the benefit for the wider community club. The CC is always at the core of what we are trying to do here, it’s all about development.’

Ian’s colleagues praised his committment and effort in driving the club towards the Juniors, but Ian was keen to stress the collective effort at Westdyke.

He said: ‘It’s absolutely a collective effort. I think there has been an exaggeration of what I have done here, all I did was force the Junior issue over the line. Everyone has come together because we are so inexperienced at this level, and collectively we have been able to learn everyday and achieve our goals. We are in the process of growing the committee and strengthening the club. It was hard for a very short term, taking involvement from everyone, but now we are beginning to reap the rewards.’

‘Steven [Gerrard] and I are really driving a vision of what Westdyke could be, inspiring the stakeholders to also see the vision and continue their support for us. There is so much potential here for a big senior club and all of the components around it.’

Looking towards the game, Ian was confident their new signings have further improved their squad and recent results have given confidence to the players.

He said: ‘Call-offs around Christmas gave us a bit of a break and we’ve managed to bring in six new players. Since the start of the new year we’ve had a win, a draw at Hall Russell, and lost in a tight game against Buchanhaven Hearts last week. We are feeling more competitive.’

‘What I’m really looking for is another positive performance, if we can play today like we did against a Premier division side then who knows? All we are looking for until the end of the season in continual improvement and to consolidate our mid-table position.’

Match Report: Westdyke Vs Banchory St. Ternan

An ideal day for Banchory St. Ternan, picking up all three points with a 4-0 victory over Westdyke. Title rivals Lossiemouth United and Longside drew 2-2 at Davidson Park, meaning if the Saints win their games in hand, they go top of the North Region Championship table. Joseph Otto and Brett Findlay both grabbed braces, with three goals in the last 15 minutes to seal the win.

Despite what would come, it was Westdyke that started the game brightly, earning the first corners and testing Banchory keeper Aidan Linton early on. Westdyke would also manage the first big chance of the game when Nathan Bonner unleashed Blair Chalmers between the Banchory defense. Chalmers tried to pass the ball to open the goal up for Brad Milne to slot home, but Banchory’s defense managed a touch to steer the ball away from danger.

Chances continued to fall for either team as the first half progressed, with Banchory looking increasingly comfortable on the ball. Their possession deep into the Westdyke half was rewarded with the opening goal in the 40th minute, when Joseph Otto lofted his strike over keeper Jamie Burnett and into the far top corner from outside the box.

Despite all the early danger from Westdyke, they would go into the halftime break a goal down. The opening chance of the second half looked like the perfect opportunity to equalise, but Milne missed the penalty earnt by Bonner moments earlier. The winger was quick to react when Aiden Linton spilled his catch, and was pulled down by the keeper when he tried to claw the ball back.

Another penalty would be awarded although this time to the visitors in the 76th minute. Westdyke substitute Charlie Henderson fouled Duthie in the box, with Brett Findlay scoring from the spot. Burnett thought he got enough on his save, but the ball rebounded off the post and trickled in.

Another Banchory goal and a double for Otto quickly followed after the second, beating Burnett to the ball and calmly slotting home to ensure the points would head to Crathes on the 79th minute.

The last few minutes would see some end-to-end action, with Westdyke managing a few chances to score a consolation, but it would be Banchory who grabbed a forth in injury time, with Findlay scoring from close range to cap off a clinical performance.

Post-match reaction with Daniel McKendrick

After the game Banchory manager Daniel McKendrick shared how pleased he was that his side ground out a convincing win in the end.

He said: ‘Westdyke probably had the better chances in the first half, they had a couple breakaways that could’ve easily ended in goals but fortunately they didn’t take advantage of their chances. Our goal came at a good time, almost from nothing as well. The shot was perfectly placed and sometimes you need a moment like that to kick-start the whole team.’

‘I challenged the boys at half time to be a bit more aggressive and win the ball back more. At times we were a bit too respectful of Westdyke and didn’t make our presence felt. Once we stepped it up a gear, we took control of the game. The second goal knocked the wind out of them and we finished the game off pretty strong and couple had a couple more if the Westdyke keeper didn’t make a few good saves.’

‘We were lucky that they missed their penalty as that would’ve made it 1-1, which could’ve easily changed the outcome of the game. Sometimes fortune favours you. Overall, I’m very happy with the lads today.’

Individual performances made the difference for Banchory today, with the striker in good form and the keeper steeping up to make some important saves.

Dan said: ‘It’s so important that the strikers keep finding the net week in, week out. They can easily fall into a rut if they don’t score for a couple weeks, so I’m happy with their contributions today. Brett is not long back from being sidelined through injury so I’m really happy he’s hitting the ground running.’

‘I’m also really happy with the defense, in the second half they shut almost everything out, and they one occasion they don’t, Aidan makes a fantastic save.’

Results elsewhere were ideal for Banchory, but it’s still early days as to who can clinch the title.

Dan said: ‘It’s approaching the business end now, and the top teams are still due to play us. Points dropped are inevitable, but we have to make sure we take advantage of every opportunity and maximise our points tally. There’s a few sides close behind us, but hopefully we can keep looking towards Lossiemouth United and finish this season with momentum.’