County’s late night cup clash

Feb 27 2009 by Alan Rennie, Stirling Observer Friday

HISTORY will be made tonight (Friday) when County tackle Aberdeenshire club Ellon for the first time ever.

It’s also likely to be the latest ever kick-off in the record books of either club with the whistle sounding at Bridgehaugh at 8.30pm.

The Friday night kick-off may be a bit too close to bedtime for some younger fans, especially if extra-time were to be required to settle this re-arranged fifth round cup-tie.

However, Friday is far better for the players than the SRU’s suggested Sunday kick-off option and an early Saturday start wouldn’t have pleased fans with tickets for tomorrow’s Scotland v Italy international.

Ellon were founded as recently as 1977 and have played against County many times at age group level as they have a thriving youth section.

Their proud progression up the senior leagues has stalled a bit this season in Premiership Division Three. Like County, the cup run is providing light relief from a battle against relegation.

They beat Trinity Accies 13-3 last week in a match masterminded by their experienced South African No8 Eddie Theron.

County will be on similar lines to last week but both skipper Alex Moffat and prop Mark Hunter are available again.

Danny Gilmour (Caledonian under-18s), Grant Gilchrist and Jason Hill (Scotland under-19s), Gordon McRorie (Scottish Students) and Robbie McGowan and Stevie Wilson (Scotland under-20s) are unavailable.

Versatile Craig Deacons (right) will likely link with Bruce McFarlane in the second row and that could provide a back-row opening for Australian Ben Fleming, a former rugby league player with the Cronulla Sharks and a pal of Alan Auld, who washed up in Stirling around Christmas.

Prior to the cup game tonight, the crowd will be warmed up when the Forth Valley Fossils play an Italian touring team from Rome at 6.30pm on the 1st XV pitch.