View our match highlights on the below video.
Week 28 of the North Caledonian Season seen us play feature in league action at Home against Clachnacuddin ‘A’ FC in our first of 5 fixtures in March to finish the season.
This was a game of two halves for the home side, and where we have played better in games we have lost this season but determination and hard work seen us through the second half.
The game started with the away side on top, it took Bonar time to come into the game and Clachnacuddin punished us through a brilliant strike from outside the box by Ethan McGowan on the 10th minute. Bonar then came into the game and it wasn’t long before the game was level after an excellent assist from Jack Traynor finding Alex Mackenzie just inside the box who chipped the keeper to bring the home side level. 1-1.
Weather conditions weren’t great, and both teams were struggling to get a foot in the game with chances for both sides to take the lead. Clach looked hungier in the closing parts of the first half and they were rewarded on the 34th minute after a deflected shot meant Brandon Smith couldn’t hold on before Callum White pounced first to give the away side the lead.
The first half finished with Clach having the majority of the ball, and finished the half finding there way through the Bonar defense on the 42nd minute with a good finish from Adian Mackinnon finding the bottom corner to give Clach a 1-3 lead at half time. A poor half from the home side with needed improvements in the second.
The second half started similar to the first, with end to end football and chances for both teams to get next goal which could turn the game either way. Chances for Bonar to get back into the game came and went in the opening stages of the second half but the Clach defense and Goal Keeper held strong to keep the away side with the advantage. Changes made by the home side to give legs mid way through the second half helped, and it wasn’t long before Bonar got their second goal. Bruce Urquhart picking up the ball on the 6 yard line before finishing into the bottom corner on the 71st minute to give the home side a chance. 2-3.
Soon after the game was level on the 77th minute to set up the final stages of the game. Connell Gresham cutting in from the right to finish from the edge of the box into the bottom corner for his third goal of the season for the club.
There was chances in the final 10 minutes for both sides, with Bonar pushing to complete the comeback and Clach trying to return to a winning position. Brandon Smith made an all important save on the 82nd minute tipping a Clach shot onto the bar. Bonar were awarded a free kick on the left after a surging run from Archie Ryder before he was brought down. Alex Mackenzie stepped up, and put the home side ahead with a brilliant looping free kick into the far top corner. 4-3.
The game finished with Clach pushing to try and come away from the game with something, but the Bonar defense held strong to see out the win and second half comeback. A good determined performance from Bonar in the second half kept the belief alive which payed off and showed the quality we have in the side. Thanks for Clachnacuddin for the game, and we will see them in the reverse fixture later in the month. All the best for the remainder of the season.
Man of the Match for Bonar was Alex Mackenzie scoring a brace in the game with a Brilliant free kick to secure the win for Bonar.
Many thanks to Gordon Sparling for the photographs.
