It’s only in football that you can be gutted after you have been stuffed, but that’s an experience that is becoming increasingly familiar for Formartine’s faithful. Keith had played in midweek, suffering a few casualties in the process; Formartine were facing their first game in 6 weeks. In normal circumstances, a bit of rustiness could reasonably have been expected, but in the event something far more corrosive than iron oxide was there for all to see: having started the game by mounting wave upon wave of attack on the home goal, taking an early lead and generally dominating proceedings, Formartine utterly caved in to the fight back of a competent, decently organised but far from outstanding mid table team. The manner and extent of this capitulation revealed a level of commitment on the part of several players that was clearly inconsistent with the ambition of the management, committee and supporters of the club that pays their wages. Several supporters confessed to a real feeling of having been short changed.

Scottish rally ace Stevie Brown is preparing to tackle the opening round of the MSA Scottish Rally Championship in Inverness this weekend (18 February).

FOrmartine United were given reason to celebrate this week, after the club was awarded associate membership of the Scottish FA.

THe Ythan Cycle Club is looking for 2012 to be a ‘golden year’ in more ways than one, as it celebrates its 25th anniversary along with addition of a current World Champion to their ranks. 

WHEN Inverurie’s Garioch Sports Centre advertised its annual 10-week training programme for Run Garioch, they hoped for a turnout of around 60 participants, in line with previous years.

THE wipeout of club rugby as a consequence of the weather resulted in a full, but merciless focus on Scotland’s first game in the Six Nations tournament.

Pupils at Balmedie Primary School got a taster of what it takes to be a martial arts master last week, as they took part in an energetic Sooyangdo session.

IN a surprisingly open winter it is interesting to note that despite experiencing one of the least hostile January’s in living memory there is a back log of fixtures among sports in the area who play outside.

ELLON were once again left cursing the winter weather after their eagerly anticipated game with league leaders Musselburgh was called off on Saturday due to heavy frost at the Meadows.

WHEN the Meadows Sports Centre lost its funding from Aberdeenshire last year, staff at one of the biggest and most successful centres could have been forgiven for thinking the end of an era was well and truly nigh.

By Jack Nixon

THE fenced pitch at The Meadows passed a late morning inspection to allow Ellon United`s PMAC Super League match against Longside to go ahead.

THE continuing colder weather has finally settled the fish to their normal depth and feeding habits associated with the time of year. As a result good sport has been had by those who have adapted to the conditions at Lochter Fishery, Oldmeldrum.

ELLON AFC had yet another cup game to get through. This time the visitors to the Meadows were University in the 4th round of the AFC Trophy.

ELLON RFC clocked up its fourth consecutive win in National League 1, with a victory over Linlithgow at the weekend.