Hermes: Sweeney; Cruickshank; L Smith; Alexander; Campbell; McKenzie; Macklin; MacRae; D Wilson; Stevenson; Dawson:
Subs: Nash; McLachlan; Courage; M Smith; Strachan:

Stonehaven: Stark; S Reid; Brown; Robertson; McTavish; Grey; Anderson; J Reid; Wyness; Armstrong; Pyper:

Subs: Stewart; Matelski; Coyle; Mohamed; McWilliam

Referee: D McLennan: Assistants: Morris; MacLeod

The visitors kicked off at an immaculate looking Uniconn Park. However, it was the home side who got off to a flier when, after Stark had saved a Stevenson header from a corner, MACRAE was on right spot to head the ball home. Hermes continued to create chances and Dawson came close to increasing their lead. As often happens when teams are profligate with chances they are punished. Picking up a wayward midfield pass, play was quickly transferred towards the home goal where WYNESS ran on and buried the ball past the helpless Sweeney.

Worse was to follow, in the 29th minute, when the home defence failed to cut out another through ball and, on this occasion, J REID drove the ball powerfully beyond the Hermes custodian. Hermes continued to press and an inviting cross from D Wilson unfortunately found no takers. In the 39th minute Macklin had a chance to equalise but keeper Stark managed to block his shot. The Mearns side came close to increasing their lead on half time but Sweeney held Wyness’ shot after the former Hermes player had combined well with J Reid.

Halt Time: Hermes 1 – 2 Stonehaven

Hermes had created the better opportunities early on and could have put the game beyond their visitors. Stonehaven came back strongly and showed the home team how to make the best of their fewer chances.

The second half started brightly with, firstly, Pyper driving the ball over the bar before L Smith had a header saved by Stark. Stonehaven took a firm grip on the points in the 47th minute when, after Sweeney had pulled off a great save, MCWILLIAM drove the rebound firmly into the corner of the net. In the 62nd minute Stevenson picked up a second yellow card and this seemed to spur the Bridge of Don side on, who got back in the game when Dawson was pulled down in the box. MACRAE drove the resulting penalty home. Both sides brought on substitutes and continued to create chances but neither was able to add to the scoreline.

Full Time; Hermes 2 – 3 Stonehaven

Stonehaven repeated what they did at the start of last season with an odd goal win. The difference between the teams this time was the visitors ability to make the best of the opportunities they created. Now on to Buckie to get the season started.