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HERMES EXIT FROM McBOOKIE McLEMAN CUP AT FIRST HURDLE

HERMES EXIT FROM McBOOKIE McLEMAN CUP AT FIRST HURDLE

Les Hutton14 Mar 2015 - 18:25
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Ten man Hermes go out in a thriller. Banks O' Dee 2 - 0 Hermes

HERMES - L Sweeney, P Cruickshank, A Fuller, J Winton, G Campbell, A MacRae, D Stevenson, K Stewart, S Jack, M Dawson, C Macklin:
Subs - F Strachan, K Wilson, R Nash, M Smith, E Thomson:
Referee - Mr D McFarlane

Hermes started brightly and forced a series of fruitless corners. The visitors appeared to be in the mood for the game and were clearly making an attempt to banish the blues of Tuesday's defeat at the hands of Culter. After the first 10 minutes Banks O' Dee came more into the game and Sweeney had to stretch to turn away a dangerous cross.

In 12 minutes the visitors created a chance but Abbot beat Stevenson to the ball with the goal gaping. Next minute Dee's M Alexander brought out a good save from Sweeney. Another chance for the home side came in the 18th minute when Innes took advantage of a static Hermes' defence but his shot went wide. The action now moved to the other end when the visitors had 2 chances to score but committed defending saw both shots blocked.
Hermes were having a good spell at this stage with a Michael Dawson shot being scrambled away by keeper Smith. The custodian came to the rescue minutes later when he stopped a Stephen Jack pile driver. In 32 minutes the Bridge of Don side came close to taking the lead when a long range Dawson attempt crashed back off the bar, with Stevenson being adjudged offside as he moved in for the kill. Lennox came close to opening the score for the home side but his free kick from the edge of the box went narrowly by.

The first half ended with the home side scrambling the ball clear with no Hermes player able to apply the finishing touch.

HALF TIME Banks O' Dee 0 - 0 Hermes.

Both sides had played good football throughout the first half but with defences being on top, the half ended in stalemate.

The second half started as the first ended with play flowing from end to end. Banks O' Dee eventually opened the scoring after Lennox was brought down in the box. While there was no doubt about the award of a penalty, the red card shown to the Sweeney came as a surprise. Grant Campbell took over between the sticks and his first job was to take the ball from the net as LENNOX drove the ball home. Jack came close to equalising in the 57 minute when his 'shot come cross' avoided everyone but flashed past the far post. Ten minutes later another chance for the visitors when Smith was put under pressure from a back pass but the keeper was alert enough to beat Dawson to the ball.

Dee doubled their advantage in 69 minutes when substitute WILSON made a strong run into the box and buried a powerful drive past Campbell. Hermes replaced Stevenson and MacRae in the 74th minute with Erik Thomson and Keith Wilson. The game continued to flow from end to end but Hermes were unable to get back into the game.

FULL TIME Banks O' Dee 2 - 0 Hermes

This had been an excellent game from start to finish but the penalty award and the subsequent ordering off gave the home team the advantage. Hermes continued to attack until the end and their performance justified them leaving Spain Park with their heads high and 'what if' on their minds.

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