Glendale began season 2017/18 with a trip to newly promoted Westdyce  who now play their home games at Strathburn Park Inverurie. Glendale gave debut’s to Derek McKenzie in goal and Ross Yule in defence while Kriss Singer had to be content with a place on the bench.

It was the home team who started the brighter and should have taken the lead in 5 minutes when a corner from the left slid right across the Dale 6 yard box but found no takers and it took Glendale 10 minutes to settle into the game and Yule almost marked his debut in style with a shot from the left hand side of the box which McGarva just managed to push away into the path of Alex McMahon and his effort was blocked on the line. Glendale’s back 3 were looking very impressive but an injury to Neil Innes forced a change Lewis Brown was his replacement as Dale moved to a back 4. Westdyce finished the half as they began on top and only a brilliant double save from McKenzie prevented his side going behind.

H.T 0-0.

Westdyce started the 2nd half on top and went ahead 5 minutes after the restart when from a corner McLEAN arrived like a train to bullet a header beyond McKenzie into the roof of the net. Dale were in need of inspiration and it came via substitute Brown who broke up an attack on the edge of his own box,carried the ball forward then slid the perfect pass for MARK ROBB to run through  and score past McGarva. Just as it looked like Dale would turn the screw Westdyce responded by taking the lead again when a fortunate break of the ball fell perfectly for the impressive MACKAY who wasted no time in diving a low shot past McKenzie. The game turned however 5 minutes later when Glendale were awarded a penalty when Duff handled on the goal line for a certain penalty and a red card to boot. Up stepped RYAN McRAE in his horrendous Pink/Red boots and although his effort was less than convincing the ball eventually  bobbled into the net. 2-2. Minutes later the crowd were on their feet as Dale forged ahead with a screamer of a goal. Cammy Willox did the spade work as he meandered across field with the ball, Laid it into the path of LEWIS BROWN who let rip from 25 yards and the ball simply flew into the net. Just as the crowd began to settle down from that they were on their feet again with another contender for the “goal of the season” as ALLY BLACK picked up the ball fully 40 yards from goal, looked up and fired a terrific thunderbolt into the roof of the net.

A good result and performance in the end from Glendale and credit to Westdyce for their part in what was a entertaining game throughout and it took two wonder strikes to win it for Dale in the end scored by players wearing traditional black boots. Here Endeth the lesson!

Team                                                     McKenzie

R McRae            Innes          Yule

A McMahon  Willox  Sutherland    Thomson   C McRae

Robb         Lechner

Subs

MacPhee

Brown

Wright

Singer

Black