Hall Russell United manager Craig Carroll was disappointed but proud of his side as they bowed out of the North Region Junior Premiership Playoff on penalties after a 4-4 draw on aggregate against Deveronside J.F.C. Despite running out 2-0 winners on the night, the Bridge of Don outfit could only watch on as Deveronside goalkeeper Alex Gibb made the decisive save to send the Banff side into the final.
Despite failing to reach the final, this season has been the strongest for Hall Russell since returning from abeyance, reaching an impressive one hundred goals in 28 league matches. Reflecting on the match and on the wider season, Craig said:
“I’m gutted to be honest, over the two games I though we were the better side.
“Losing two early goals up in Banff put us on the back foot and ultimately we didn’t quite have enough to fight back tonight and avoid the penalty shootout.
“I have to praise the Deveronside keeper, he made some great saves and kept his team in the game. We were certainly dominant in the first half but couldn’t take advantage of our chances, then by the second half they changed formation and started to limit our threat. Getting our second late on was great but we could’ve done with more time to break through their defense once more.
“For such a young team with many playing their first season in Junior football, to get so close to promotion in a league of much older and more physical players is a great achievement.
“The first feeling is disappointment at how tonight panned out but when we all reflect on this game we will be proud at how we dominated large portions of the match against a physical team. I’ve nothing but pride from how this team has conducted themselves over the season.
“We are also proud but aggrieved to lose one of our key players to the Highland League next season, but that shows the quality that has developed within this side.”
On the night, Hall Russell started with intent and halved the aggregate deficit within 4 minutes. Rory Butchart and Bioma Willie played a clever give-and-go on the edge of the Deveronside box, with the former lashing the ball high into the top right corner.
The home side continued to threaten Deveronside, finding space on the wings and looking to catch the defence out with looped balls over to Miller Keir.
Deveronside captain Jody Munro produced a goal-line clearance after Harvey Greig found space on the right side of the box to shoot goalward, with Hall Russell looking to take advantage of the Banff side’s makeshift defence after Branden Watson saw red in the first leg of the fixture.
Fearful of losing their slender lead, Deveronside switched to a back five, suppressing the Hall Russell wingers and allowing them to make it to half time within conceding another.
The second half looked to continue in similar fashion, until a severe collision between Willie and Deveronside’s Jamie McKinnon caused a lengthy stoppage in play. Willie was able to continue though McKinnon sought further treatment and was substituted off.
This stoppage subdued Hall Russell, and they struggled to threaten Deveronside as the half progressed. It was looking like the away side might sneak into the playoff final until Findlay McDonald stepped up to restore parity over the two legs.
A fast and dangerous attack forced Gibb into a good save, but McDonald was on hand to bundle the ball over the line in the 83rd minute to turn the tide and push the game to penalties.
An incensed Deveronside struggled to cope with Hall Russell’s late attacks and found themselves down to nine men in injury time. Michael Wood and Shaun Sopel both received their marching orders for similar last-ditch challenges, though Hall Russell ran out to time to capitalise on the numerical advantage.
The tie went straight to penalties where Hall Russell would come up short, having two efforts saved by Gibb, with a killer third rattling off the crossbar. Deveronside were more clinical, missing just one, confirming their spot on the final. The Banff side will face the winners of the other semi-final between Stoneywood Parkvale and Islavale, who tied their first leg 2-2 in Dyce.
Northern Terraces 
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