Banks O’Dee Albion and Donside Juvenile met at Spain Park in the Eddie Mannell Trophy with Banks O’Dee Albion hot favourites to win the game. Donside Juvenile are a B league side however they have already given A league opposition in Formartine United and Stonehaven Madrid some competitive games this season, actually beating the latter.

Both teams started the game at a good pace with some good exchanges of football made from either team. Albion started the game attacking the Donside backline however the visiting defence put their bodies on the line with some very good blocks and clearances.

Donside went 1-0 up in the 15th minute after a long ball down the channel found forward Charlie Nicol who then delivered a delightful lob over Kris Abernethy in the Banks O’Dee Albion goal to give the B league outfit a great start and although the goal was against the run of play, the Alford side dealt with any potential dangers in the opening exchanges then got a goal when they were able to attack.

Banks O’Dee Albion tried to pull level once again with a chance from Liam May which was struck over the bar followed by a header from Ryan Fraser which went wide. It just wasn’t falling for the hosts.

Donside tried to add to their advantage by nearly adding a second before the interval after a free kick from Sean McKenzie was saved by Abernethy. A shock looked to be on the cards however there was still 35 minutes of football to be played and regardless of the result, Donside put a lot of effort into the game.

Albion were working with a depleted squad and being a goal down at half time forced the management team into two substitutions at to try and salvage something from the game. Banks O’Dee Albion had most of the chances however failed to be clinical in front of goal.

Donside had the first real opportunity of the second half which was probably a decisive moment in the game with Marley Grigor-Taylor having an effort from the edge of the box smacking off the post before being cleared to safety. A real let off for the hosts.

Antonio Jam then tried to get himself on the scoresheet for the hosts with a header which was denied by a superb stop from Logan Scarth before a shot from Louis McGarrity was denied by the talented goalkeeper.

The hosts then had a flurry of corners in which they failed to make count and Antonio Jam had another chance after a ball in from Liam May however it went wide.

Albion then levelled with 15 minutes on the clock after a ball was delivered in from the wide area which was met by Jam who guided the ball home past a packed penalty area to give the lift the hosts required. Harsh on Donside slightly however deserved goal for Albion after all their pressure.

An unfortunate moment for Donside was then to follow which determined who would win the game after that, a shot from just outside the box from Jam was unfortunately slipped beyond Logan Scarth and in. Scarth had a good game so it was unfortunate circumstances for himself.

Banks O’Dee Albion deserved the win and new manager Bruce McGregor who managed the victorious Albion 2000 Scottish Cup winning team has his work cut out which he is fully aware of. Donside might be a league below however they would be a good participant to the A league and all their players can be proud of their performance.